Which compound is formed when ethanol reacts with sodium?
A.Sodium ethanoate
B.Sodium ethoxide
C.Sodium propanoate

Hint:
 A functional group is an atom or a group of atoms that defines the specific structure or the characteristic properties of a particular family of organic compounds. Alkanes do not have any functional groups, alkenes have a carbon-carbon double bond, and alkynes have a carbon-carbon triple bond, the double bond, and the triple bonds are considered to be their functional group.


Complete answer:
Step 1
Alcohols are the hydroxyl derivatives of alkanes. They are formed by substituting one or more hydrogen atoms of the alkane with an \[ - OH\]group.
Alcohols can be like:
Monohydric – alcohols having one \[ - OH\] group.
Dihydric – alcohol having two \[ - OH\] groups.
Trihydric – alcohols having three \[ - OH\] groups.
Step 2
Ethanol \[{C_2}{H_5}OH\] is monohydric alcohol which is produced by the fermentation of sugar. It is an inflammable volatile liquid and is soluble in water as well as in organic solvents. It is colorless, has a faint odor, and a burning taste. Ethanol affects a part of the brain which controls our muscular movements and so it gives temporary relief from tiredness or fatigue. But overconsumption can damage the liver and the kidneys too.
Step 3
Alcohols are a reactive class of compounds that readily reacts with oxygen, active metals like sodium, acetic acid, concentrated sulphuric acid, phosphorus pentachloride, and so on.
Step 4
The chemical reaction in which a more active element displaces a lesser active element from its compound to form a new compound is known as displacement reaction.
When sodium reacts with ethanol at room temperature sodium being more reactive than hydrogen displaces hydrogen from ethanol to form sodium ethoxide and evolve hydrogen gas.
\[2{C_2}{H_5}OH + 2Na\xrightarrow{{}}2{C_2}{H_5}ONa + {H_2} \uparrow \]

Hence, the correct answer is sodium ethoxide, and option b) is the correct answer for the given question.

Note:
The gas evolving comes out as an effervescence and burns with a pop sound indicating that it is hydrogen. Effervescence is the escape of gas from an aqueous solution and the foaming or fizzing that results from that release.