Microscale Chemistry Experimentation for Teachers
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17.
Reactions of methanol, ethanol and propanol with sodium
* Left: 1 ml of the alcohols methanol,
ethanol and secondary
propanol are filled
into three 3-ml vials.
* Three small pieces of equal sizes which
are fixed to the tops of needles and dropped into the alcohols.
* Middle: Gas bubbles can be seen,
the reaction in methanol being so vigorous,
that the metals disappears
very quickly.
In ethanol the reaction ends
later, in propanol heating is necessary.
* Right: A white gelatinous substance
can be seen in all vials.