Methanol
Alcohol

Methanol

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol (CAS: 67-56-1), is the simplest aliphatic alcohol, represented by the chemical formula $text{CH}_3text{OH}$. It is a light, volatile, colorless, and flammable liquid with a characteristic odor similar to ethanol. Historically produced through the destructive distillation of wood, modern industrial-scale production utilizes the catalytic conversion of synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) derived from natural gas or biomass.

Methanol serves as a cornerstone of the global chemical industry, acting as a primary feedstock for the synthesis of formaldehyde, acetic acid, and a variety of polymers and resins. Due to its high octane rating and clean-burning characteristics, it is increasingly utilized as a renewable energy carrier and marine fuel. Despite its utility, methanol is highly toxic to humans; ingestion or inhalation can lead to metabolic acidosis and permanent optic nerve damage. Proper handling and adherence to safety protocols are mandatory for its industrial application.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

* Acts as a versatile chemical feedstock for numerous industrial syntheses.
* Functions as an effective solvent for a broad range of resins, plastics, paints, and pharmaceuticals.
* Provides reliable freeze protection, making it ideal for antifreeze formulations.
* Serves as a promising alternative fuel source and fuel additive.
* Used as an essential denaturant, rendering ethanol unsuitable for consumption.
* Offers potential for clean energy applications in fuel cells and power generation.
* Completely miscible with water, simplifying its use in aqueous solutions.
* Supports a wide array of critical processes across diverse manufacturing sectors.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

* Purity, %wt: 99.85 Min
* Water, %wt: 0.10 Max
* Ethanol, ppmwt: 5.0 Max
* Acetone, ppmwt: 10.0 Max
* Formaldehyde, ppmwt: 5.0 Max
* Iron, ppmwt: 0.10 Max
* Chlorides, ppmwt: 0.10 Max
* Sulfur, ppmwt: 0.50 Max
* Specific Gravity @ 20/20°C: 0.7915 Max
* Carbonizable Substances Pt-Co (APHA) Scale: 30 Max

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

* **Chemical Feedstock:** Serves as a fundamental building block for producing essential chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetic acid, and numerous other derivatives used in various industries.
* **Fuel and Energy Source:** Utilized in methanol-fueled vehicles, power generation, as an additive in gasoline to improve octane and reduce emissions, and as a marine fuel.
* **Industrial Solvent:** Employed across diverse sectors including pharmaceuticals, paints, coatings, and adhesives due to its excellent ability to dissolve a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds.
* **Antifreeze Agent:** A common component in antifreeze formulations and windshield washer fluids, effectively preventing freezing in cold temperature conditions.
* **Ethanol Denaturant:** Used to denature ethanol, making it unsuitable for consumption and allowing for tax-exempt industrial applications.
* **Laboratory Reagent & Solvent:** Widely used in research and laboratory settings as a versatile reagent, solvent, and cleaning agent for various experiments and analytical procedures.

Key Sectors

Target Industries

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