CH3CH2CH2CH2ONa

Sodium butoxide is an organosodium compound with the chemical formula CH3CH2CH2CH2ONa. It is the sodium salt of 1-butanol, also known as n-butanol. In this compound, the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group in 1-butanol is deprotonated, and the resulting alkoxide anion is balanced by a sodium cation. It is a strong base and a nucleophile. Sodium butoxide is typically a white to off-white solid, though it can also be encountered as a solution in organic solvents. It is highly reactive and sensitive to moisture and air, readily hydrolyzing in the presence of water to form 1-butanol and sodium hydroxide. Due to its reactivity, it is usually prepared and used in situ or handled under inert atmosphere conditions. Sodium butoxide finds applications in organic synthesis, particularly in reactions requiring a strong, non-nucleophilic base, such as deprotonation of carbon acids, alkoxide exchange reactions, and as a catalyst in various condensation reactions. It is also employed as a reagent in the synthesis of ethers and esters. Its strong basicity makes it useful for promoting elimination reactions.