A gas is evolved when ethanol reacts with sodium. Name the gas evolved and also write the balanced chemical equation of the reaction involved.
When ethanol reacts with sodium, hydrogen gas (H2) is evolved.
This reaction can be shown by following equation.
2CH3CH2OH + 2Na → 2CH3CH2ONa + H2
This is an oxidation-reduction reaction. Na is oxidized, and H is reduced.