The order of reactivity of alcohols with sodium metal is

Options

A. `3^(@) gt 2^(@) gt 1^(@)`
B. `1^(@) gt 2^(@) gt 3^(@)`
C. `2^(@) gt 3^(@) gt 1^(@)`
D. `3^(@) lt 2^(@) gt 1^(@)`

Answer

To determine the order of reactivity of alcohols with sodium metal, we need to analyze how different types of alcohols (primary, secondary, and tertiary) react with sodium. The reaction involves the formation of alkoxide ions (RO⁻) and hydrogen gas (H₂).

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Reaction**:
When alcohols (ROH) react with sodium metal (Na), they produce alkoxide ions (RO⁻) and hydrogen gas (H₂). The reaction can be represented as:
\[ 2 \, \text{ROH} + 2 \, \text{Na} \rightarrow 2 \, \text{RO}^- + \text{H}_2 + 2 \, \text{Na}^+ \]

2. **Formation of Alkoxide Ions**:
In the reaction, sodium donates an electron to the alcohol, leading to the formation of the alkoxide ion (RO⁻) and a hydrogen ion (H⁺). The stability of the alkoxide ion is crucial for the reactivity of the alcohol.

3. **Analyzing Alcohol Types**:
- **Primary Alcohols**: These have one alkyl group attached to the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group. The negative charge on the alkoxide ion (RO⁻) is less destabilized due to fewer alkyl groups. Thus, primary alcohols are more reactive.
- **Secondary Alcohols**: These have two alkyl groups attached. The negative charge is somewhat destabilized due to the presence of two alkyl groups, making secondary alcohols less reactive than primary alcohols.
- **Tertiary Alcohols**: These have three alkyl groups attached. The negative charge on the alkoxide ion is highly destabilized due to the strong inductive effect from the three alkyl groups, making tertiary alcohols the least reactive.

4. **Order of Reactivity**:
Based on the above analysis, the order of reactivity of alcohols with sodium metal is:
\[ \text{Primary} > \text{Secondary} > \text{Tertiary} \]

5. **Conclusion**:
Therefore, the correct order of reactivity of alcohols with sodium metal is primary alcohols being the most reactive, followed by secondary alcohols, and tertiary alcohols being the least reactive.

### Final Answer:
The order of reactivity of alcohols with sodium metal is:
**Primary > Secondary > Tertiary**