In the process of sodium fusion extraction, sodium metal is used to react with an organic compound to convert its elements from covalent form to ionic form. This is done to facilitate the analysis of elements that may not be easily detected in their covalent form.
- The sodium metal reacts with the organic compound, breaking the covalent bonds and forming sodium salts of the elements in the organic compound.
- This helps in detecting and identifying various elements in the organic compound using qualitative analysis methods.
- This fusion also allows for easier solubility of the products in water, which is important for subsequent chemical tests.
Thus, the correct answer is:
\[
\text{(1) Convert the elements of the compound from covalent form to ionic form}
\]