Why is sodium more reactive with water than alcohols?

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Why is sodium more reactive with water than alcohols?

i know that sodium reacts with water more violently with sodium than an alcohol, but does anyone know why it is more violent?
Please help!
x

2007-05-12 05:07:36 · 2 answers · asked by xhayleybabyx 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

is it because it is a smaller molecule than an alcohol?

2007-05-12 05:16:55 · update #1

2 answers

Weaker O-H bonds in water - it's more acidic than alcohols.

2007-05-12 05:11:15 · answer #1 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Because of the hydrogen in water. That's why you get NaOH, sodium hydroxide which is a base. Also alcohol has to come into contact with water that is 78% (boiling point of ethanol) or more before it reacts. Also there is reaction of diffusion if sodium comes into contact with water.

2007-05-12 05:21:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋