CH3CH2CH2ONa

Sodium propoxide is an organosodium compound with the chemical formula CH3CH2CH2ONa. It is the sodium salt of propanol, an alcohol. This compound is a white solid that is soluble in organic solvents. It is a strong base and a nucleophile. Sodium propoxide is typically prepared by the reaction of propanol with sodium metal or sodium hydride. The reaction with sodium metal produces hydrogen gas as a byproduct. It is also possible to prepare sodium propoxide by reacting propanol with a strong base like sodium hydroxide, although this reaction is less common.

In organic synthesis, sodium propoxide is used as a reagent. Its strong basicity makes it useful for deprotonating alcohols and other weakly acidic compounds. As a nucleophile, it can participate in substitution reactions, such as the Williamson ether synthesis, where it reacts with alkyl halides to form ethers. Due to its reactivity with water, sodium propoxide must be handled under anhydrous conditions, typically in an inert atmosphere like nitrogen or argon. Its decomposition in the presence of moisture leads to the reformation of propanol and sodium hydroxide. It is important to store sodium propoxide in a tightly sealed container to prevent exposure to air and humidity.