Theoretically, how many moles of sodium are consumed in the Bouveault-Blanc reduction of one mole of diethyl butanedioate, C2H5OOC-CH2CH2-COOC2H5, in ethanol to butane-1,4-diol? (Each ester group needs four electrons, i.e. four Na atoms.)

JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3ro035

Theoretically, how many moles of sodium are consumed in the Bouveault-Blanc reduction of one mole of diethyl butanedioate, $C X_{2} H X_{5} OOC - CH X_{2} CH X_{2} - COOC X_{2} H X_{5}$ , in ethanol to butane-1,4-diol? (Each ester group needs four electrons, i.e. four Na atoms.)

Each ester group:

RCOOEt + 4 Na + 4 EtOH RCH X_{2} OH + EtOH + 4 NaOEt

, so 4 Na. Two ester groups require 2 x 4 = 8 mol Na.