Concept:Compound N behaves like an alcohol because of two key reactions: hydrogen gas with sodium and a sweet-smelling ester with ethanoic acid.
Explanation:Alkanols react with sodium metal to release hydrogen gas,
H2.
This hydrogen gas burns with a characteristic ‘pop’ sound when a burning splint is applied.
Alkanols also react with ethanoic acid to form esters, which are sweet-smelling liquids.
Compound N gives both the ‘pop’-sound gas and a sweet-smelling liquid with ethanoic acid.
Therefore, compound N contains the hydroxyl group,
−OH, and belongs to the alkanol family.
Alkanoates are esters, alkanes are unreactive with sodium, and alkanoic acids do not form sweet-smelling esters with ethanoic acid in this way.
Answer:A. alkanol