Answer to Question #17488 in Organic Chemistry for K Jeyakanthan

Question

how many moles of Na is required to react with acetalene

Answer 1

Compared to most hydrocarbons, acetylene is relatively acidic, though it is still much less acidic than water or ethanol. Thus it reacts with strong bases to form acetylide salts. When acetylene reacts with sodium, either in the metallic state, or as hydride, or in solution in liquid ammonia, a substance of the formula C₂Na₂*C₂H₂ is produced. When heated in vacuum, or in a current of hydrogen at 220 °C., it evolves acetylene, leaving sodium carbide.

Thus, according to the reaction below, one mole of Na is required to react with one mole of acetylene.
2HCCH + 2Na = 2HCCNa + H₂