Question

NH4Br react with sodium metal in the presence of liquid ammonia​

Answer 1

Sodium in ammonia can react in two way:

1. in the absence of iron (III) catalyst:

the sodium metal gets dissolved in liquid ammonia. The result is a blue solution due to solvated electrons. This is the basis of the Birch Reduction reaction in the presence of alcohol.

2. In the presence of a bit of iron (III) catalyst:

Ammonia gas reacts with sodium metal to form sodium amide (NaNH

2

) and hydrogen gas. The chemical reaction is as:

2NH

3

+2Na→2NaNH

2

+H

2

in the presence of a bit of an iron(III) catalyst, otherwise its a blue solution only.