Question

If in an alkane, both chlorine and alcohol grps are present, which one will react with sodium and what will be the product?

Answer 1

Answer:

We know that Chlorine is a halogen

While alcohol is a part of the OH grp

Now, to answer ur question, it's imp to know the concept of a 'leaving grp'

A leaving grp is a single/ a grp of atoms that leave a hydrocarbon as an anion...i.e. they obtain a negative charge and then leave the carbon chain to react with other substances....

Now OH is a bad leaving grp....i.e. it will prefer not to react with any substance and stick to the hydrocarbon. Why? Bcz the OH after leaving a hydrocarbon forms OH- ion that is highly unstable

and all atoms want to attain a stable configuration

Now on the other hand, Cl is a good leaving grp......i.e. it will easily leave the carbon chain and react. Why? bcz Cl- ion is very stable...so to be more stable, it will leave the carbon chain n react with substances

So to conclude, Cl will react with Na to give you NaCl and an alcohol as the product

Eg. lets say u have

chloro-ethanol + Na

the products will be,

->NaCl + ethanol

Hope this helps!

Do let me know if u didnt get this! :)