As we shall soon see, sidium amide (NaNH_(2)) is useful, especially when a reaction requires a very strong base. Explain why a solvent such as methanol cannnot be used to carry out a reaction in which you might want to use sodium amide as a base.

As we shall soon see, sidium amide (NaNH_(2)) is useful, especially wh

1.	As we shall soon see, sidium amide (NaNH_(2)) is useful, especially when a reaction requires a very strong base. Explain why a solvent such as methanol cannnot be used to carry out a reaction in which you might want to use sodium amide as a base.
Answer» SOLUTION :An alcohol has `pK_(a)=16-17`, and AMMONIA has `pK_(a)=38`. This means that methanol is a significantly stronger acid than ammonia, and the conjugate base of ammonia (the `""^(-)NH_(2)` ion) is a significantly stronger base than an ALKOXIDE ion. Therefore , the following acid-base reaction would take place as soon as sodium amide is added to methanol. `underset("Strongeracid")(CH_(3)OH)+underset("Strongerbase")(NaNH_(2)) underset(CH_(3)OH) rarrunderset("Weaker base")(CH_(3)ONa)+underset("Weakeracid")(NH_(3))` With a `pK_(a)` different this LARGE, the sodium amide would convert all of the methanol to sodium methoxide, a much weaker base than sodium amide. (This is an example of what is called the leveling effect of a solvent.