The label on a reagent bottle containing a clear organic liquid dropped off. The liquid was neutral to litmus and gave a colorless gas with metallic sodium. The liquid must be an

Kingsley Thompson January 10, 2026

The label on a reagent bottle containing a clear organic liquid dropped off. The liquid was neutral to litmus and gave a colorless gas with metallic sodium. The liquid must be an 

A. alkanoate

B. alkene

C. alkanol

D. alkane

The key observations are:

  1. Neutral to litmus
    → Not acidic or basic.

  2. Reacts with metallic sodium to give a colourless gas
    → This is characteristic of compounds with an –OH group.
    Sodium reacts with alcohols to produce hydrogen gas (H₂):
    2ROH + 2Na → 2RONa + H2

Evaluate the options

  • A. Alkanoate ❌
    Esters do not react with sodium metal to give hydrogen gas.

  • B. Alkene ❌
    Alkenes do not react with sodium metal.

  • C. Alkanol ✅
    Alcohols are neutral and react with sodium to evolve colourless hydrogen gas.

  • D. Alkane ❌
    Alkanes are inert and do not react with sodium.

Correct answer ✅

C. alkanol

PQN: 45

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