Order of reactivity of alcohols towards sodium metal is

Options

A. Primary `gt` secondary `gt` tertiary
B. Primary `lt` secondary `lt` tertiary
C. Primary `lt` secondary `gt` tertiary
D. Primary `gt` secondary `lt` tertiary

Answer

To determine the order of reactivity of alcohols towards sodium metal, we need to analyze the acidic strength of different types of alcohols: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Alcohols**:
- Alcohols can be classified into three categories based on the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl (–OH) group: primary (1 alkyl group), secondary (2 alkyl groups), and tertiary (3 alkyl groups).

2. **Reactivity with Sodium Metal**:
- Sodium metal is a strong base and reacts with alcohols, which are weak acids. The reactivity of alcohols with sodium is influenced by their acidic strength.

3. **Acidic Strength of Alcohols**:
- The acidic strength of alcohols decreases as the number of alkyl groups increases. This is because alkyl groups are electron-donating (due to the +I effect), which stabilizes the hydroxyl group and makes it less likely to release a proton (H⁺).
- Therefore, the order of acidic strength is:
- Primary alcohols > Secondary alcohols > Tertiary alcohols.

4. **Relating Acidic Strength to Reactivity**:
- Since sodium reacts more readily with stronger acids, the order of reactivity of alcohols towards sodium metal will follow the same trend as their acidic strength.
- Thus, the order of reactivity is:
- Primary alcohols > Secondary alcohols > Tertiary alcohols.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the order of reactivity of alcohols towards sodium metal is:
- **Primary > Secondary > Tertiary**.

### Final Answer:
The correct option is **A: Primary > Secondary > Tertiary**.