Why does sodium react violently with some halogenated hydrocarbons?

Sodium reacts violently with certain halogenated hydrocarbons primarily due to the large negative free energy associated with the formation of sodium halides. This thermodynamic favorability drives the dehalogenation process, where sodium effectively strips the halogen atoms from the organic compound to form stable sodium halide salts.1

The intensity of this reaction is demonstrated by mixtures such as carbon tetrachloride and sodium, which can result in a violent explosion when subjected to shock. This high reactivity is a specific application of the principle behind the Wurtz reaction, where sodium is used to facilitate the coupling of organic halides. Even when the sodium is diluted, such as in the form of sodium amalgam, it remains reactive enough to undergo a brisk reaction with these compounds.1