The correct order of reactivity of 1°, 2° and 3° alcohols towards sod…

The correct answer is Option (1) → 1° > 2° > 3°

Alcohols react with sodium as acids: the O–H bond breaks, an alkoxide forms and hydrogen gas is set free.

    \( \displaystyle \ce{2R-OH + 2Na -> 2R-O^-Na^+ + H2 ^} \)

So the more acidic the alcohol, the faster it reacts. Each electron releasing alkyl group on the carbinol carbon makes the O–H bond less polar and lowers the acid strength.

• 1° alcohol (R–CH₂OH) — first. Only one alkyl group on the carbinol carbon; the O–H bond is the most polar, so it is the most acidic and reacts fastest.

• 2° alcohol (R₂CHOH) — second. Two alkyl groups push more electron density onto oxygen, so it is less acidic.

• 3° alcohol (R₃COH) — last. Three alkyl groups make the O–H bond least polar, so it is the weakest acid and reacts slowest.

NCERT (2026-27 edition):
7.4.4 Chemical Reactions – “(i) Reaction with metals: Alcohols and phenols react with active metals such as sodium, potassium and aluminium to yield corresponding alkoxides/phenoxides and hydrogen. … The above reactions show that alcohols and phenols are acidic in nature.”