Question 26

Explain the reason for the fusion of an organic compound with metallic sodium for testing nitrogen, sulphur and halogens.

Answer

Nitrogen, sulphur, and halogens are covalently bonded in organic compounds. For their detection, they have to be first converted to ionic form. This is done by fusing the organic compound with sodium metal. This is called “Lassaigne's test“. The chemical equations involved in the test are

Na + C + N  →  NaCN

Na + S + C + N   →  NaSCN

2Na + S  →  Na2S

Na + X  →  NaX

                 (X = Cl , Br, I)

Carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, and halogen come from organic compounds.

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