8
$\begingroup$

Chemical properties: Sodium metal and sodium amide ($\ce{NaNH2}$ ) are strong bases. They react with ethyne to form sodium acetylide with the liberation of hydrogen gas.

How can a metal considered a base (that too strong)? To act as base it should either donate a pair of electrons (in this case it's single electron) or accept proton or give $\ce{OH-}$ ion but here it's not qualifying any one. So is that statement wrong?

Formation of monosodium ethynide: $$\ce{HC#CH + Na -> HC#C^-Na+ + 1/2H2}\tag{13.59}$$

Formation of disodium ethynide: $$\ce{HC#C^-Na+ + Na -> Na+C^{-} #C^-Na+ + 1/2H2}\tag{13.60}$$

Source: NCERT 11, Hydrocarbons, Page 386

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • 6
    $\begingroup$ It should be rather called strong reductor, but according to Usanovich's theory it would qualify as base. $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Aug 26, 2016 at 14:46

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
8
$\begingroup$

No, stricly speaking metallic sodium is not a strong base. Strictly speaking, metallic sodium is not a base at all. (Sodium amide clearly is one, though: due to the amide part.)

Not everything that reacts with an acid is a base. If an acid reacts to form hydrogen and there are no hydrides present, that is a very strong indicator that the reaction was not an acid-base reaction but a redox reaction. And that is what metallic sodium is: a strong reducing agent.

Just because reducing agents can react with acids (proton donors) to generate hydrogen radicals and thus nascent hydrogen gas does not make them bases. For the reaction partner of an acid to be a base, it must accept (and keep!, at least to a certain extent) the proton donated by the acid — or, in the Lewis theory, it must donate an electron pair.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.