The reativites of methanol (1), 1-propanol (II),2-butanol (III) and 2-methyl-2-propanol(IV)towards sodium metal follow the order

Options

A. `IgtIIgtIIIgtIV`
B. `IVgtIIIgtIIgtI`
C. `IgtIVgtIIgtIII`
D. `IVgtIIgtIIIgtI`

Answer

To determine the reactivity of methanol (I), 1-propanol (II), 2-butanol (III), and 2-methyl-2-propanol (IV) towards sodium metal, we need to analyze the acidic nature of these alcohols. The reactivity of alcohols with sodium metal is influenced by the presence of active hydrogen atoms, which are more readily released in more acidic alcohols.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Alcohols:**
- Methanol (I) - CH₃OH
- 1-Propanol (II) - CH₃CH₂CH₂OH
- 2-Butanol (III) - CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CH₃
- 2-Methyl-2-propanol (IV) - (CH₃)₃COH

2. **Determine the Type of Alcohol:**
- Methanol (I) is a primary alcohol.
- 1-Propanol (II) is also a primary alcohol.
- 2-Butanol (III) is a secondary alcohol.
- 2-Methyl-2-propanol (IV) is a tertiary alcohol.

3. **Assess the Acidity of Alcohols:**
- Primary alcohols (I and II) are generally more acidic than secondary alcohols (III).
- Tertiary alcohols (IV) are the least acidic due to the +I effect of the three alkyl groups that stabilize the alcohol but hinder the release of H⁺ ions.

4. **Rank the Alcohols Based on Acidity:**
- Methanol (I) - Most acidic
- 1-Propanol (II) - Next in acidity
- 2-Butanol (III) - Less acidic than primary alcohols
- 2-Methyl-2-propanol (IV) - Least acidic

5. **Establish the Order of Reactivity Towards Sodium:**
- Since more acidic alcohols react more readily with sodium metal, the order of reactivity will be:
- Methanol (I) > 1-Propanol (II) > 2-Butanol (III) > 2-Methyl-2-propanol (IV)

### Final Order of Reactivity:
The reactivity of the alcohols towards sodium metal follows the order:
**Methanol (I) > 1-Propanol (II) > 2-Butanol (III) > 2-Methyl-2-propanol (IV)**

Thus, the answer is option A.