Propanol is an alcohol that can be used as a solvent in industry. Describe the chemical properties of propanol, including how it reacts with sodium metal and how it burns in air. In your answer, state the products formed in each reaction.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Propanol is a member of the alcohol homologous series with the molecular formula C₃H₇OH. It is widely used as a solvent and can undergo several characteristic chemical reactions.
Model answer (5 marks)
Propanol reacts with sodium metal to give sodium propoxide and hydrogen gas:
C₃H₇OH + 2Na → C₃H₇ONa + H₂↑
The reaction is vigorous and produces a clear solution of sodium propoxide.
When propanol burns in air it undergoes complete combustion, producing carbon dioxide and water:
C₃H₇OH + 4O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
These are the main chemical properties of propanol as a solvent.
C₃H₇OH + 2Na → C₃H₇ONa + H₂↑
The reaction is vigorous and produces a clear solution of sodium propoxide.
When propanol burns in air it undergoes complete combustion, producing carbon dioxide and water:
C₃H₇OH + 4O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
These are the main chemical properties of propanol as a solvent.
Examiner tips
- Use the correct balanced equations and state the products explicitly.
- Mention that the sodium reaction is vigorous and produces a clear solution.
- Show the combustion equation with the correct stoichiometry.
- Keep the answer concise and focused on the required points.
Common mistakes
- Writing the sodium reaction as C₃H₇OH + Na → C₃H₇ONa + H₂ without the 2Na coefficient.
- Forgetting to include the hydrogen gas as a product.
- Using the wrong combustion products (e.g., CO instead of CO₂).
Mark scheme (5 marks)
- Propanol reacts with sodium metal
- Hydrogen gas is produced in the reaction with sodium
- Sodium propoxide (sodium salt of propanol) is also produced in the reaction with sodium
- Propanol burns in air / undergoes combustion
- Carbon dioxide and water are produced when propanol burns (complete combustion)
Key terms in this question
Related
- All WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Describe" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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