Is sodium ethoxide stronger than NaOH?

What is sodium ethoxide in ethanol?

Sodium ethoxide, 21% w/w in ethanol, is a strong base in organic synthesis. It finds application in various chemical reactions such as condensation, esterification, alkoxylation, and etherification. It is actively involved in Claisen condensation, Stobbe reaction, and Wolf-kishner reduction. It is an important starting material for synthesizing ethyl ester and diethyl ester of malonic acid. Williamson ether synthesis reacts with ethyl bromide to form diethyl ether.

Is sodium ethoxide stronger than NaOH?

When ethanol reacts with Na, sodium ethoxide (CH3CH2ONa) is formed. Although sodium hydroxide is known as a strong base, sodium ethoxide has more basicity than NaOH.Basicity increases with the ekectron density on the molecule (on more eletronegative element or atom here Oxygen). Because of the +I effect -the CH2CH3 group shifts its electron density on Oxygen, making it more polarizable. Thus, Na ethoxide behaves as a stronger base than NaOH.

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