The reaction of ethanol with sodium metal produces

1. Your syllabus: alcohols react with active metals like Na (or K, Al) to give the corresponding ALKOXIDE plus hydrogen gas. 2. The reaction is analogous to water + sodium → NaOH + ½H₂, but alcohols are WEAKER acids than water, so the reaction is calmer. 3. Balanced equation: $2\,\mathrm{CH_3CH_2OH} + 2\,\mathrm{Na} \to 2\,\mathrm{CH_3CH_2O^-Na^+} + \mathrm{H_2}\uparrow$. 4. Sodium ethoxide $\mathrm{CH_3CH_2ONa}$ is a strong base, widely used in organic synthesis (e.g. as a base in Claisen condensations, Williamson ether synthesis). 5. Options A, C, D describe different reactions (with HCl, with H$_2$SO$_4$ at 140°C, with PCC respectively) — not the reaction with Na metal. _Source: syllabus Chemistry Part 2, Ch 7, §7.4 (Alcohols + active metals), p. 9–10._