(+) 2-butanol has specific rotation of + 13.9° when measured in pure form. A sample of 2-butanol was found to have an optical rotation of –3°. What is the stereomeric composition of this mixture ?

Organic compounds are covalent compounds and they do not prefer to react with inorganic or ionic reagents. Hence, they should be converted into ionic compound. Also the Organic compound performs molecular reaction which can consume huge time. since sodium is highly reactive electropositive metal, it easily reacts with elements of organic compounds to form the ionic compounds.

Na + C + N ------------------> NaCN
2Na + S ----------------------> Na₂S
...

If the organic compound contains nitrogen as foreign element the sodium extract must have the following composition:

Na + C + N-------------------------> NaCN
(sodium cyanide)

Detection of Nitrogen by Lassaigne's extract:
After the preparation of the lassaigne's solution is made alkaline by adding few drops of dilute of sodium hydroxide solution if the lassaigne's solution is not alkaline. A small amount of freshly prepared ferrous sulphate solution is added which yields...

If sodium metal is not completely fused it reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide. Therefore the sodium extract is usually alkaline in nature. On the other hand, it becomes alkaline due to hydrolysis of NaCN, Na₂S etc. except of sodium.

There are 7—1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, diethyl ether, methyl propylether, and methylisopropyl ether.