Methanol

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is the simplest alcohol (CH3OH).

Description of what it is like

A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid with a distinctive alcoholic odor. It is miscible with water.

Origin and where to find it

• Not found free in nature in significant amounts.
• Obtained from the distillation of wood in the absence of air. See Wood Distillation.

Minimum processing required

• Destructive distillation of wood.
• Fractional distillation to separate it from water, acetic acid, and acetone.

Tools needed to work on it

• Alembic or distillation column.
• Airtight storage containers.

Common forms of use

• Fuel: Can be used as a high-octane fuel or fuel additive.
• Solvent: Widely used in industrial processes.
• Antifreeze: Due to its low freezing point.

Possible substitutes

• Ethanol: Grain alcohol, less toxic and also used as fuel/solvent.
• Acetone: For some solvent applications.

Limitations and common failures

• Toxicity: Extremely dangerous if ingested or inhaled.
• Corrosivity: Can attack some plastics and metals (like aluminum) if used as fuel.

Risks and safety

• Blindness and Death: Small amounts can cause permanent blindness or death if swallowed.
• Flame Visibility: Burns with a nearly invisible blue flame, making fires hard to detect in daylight.

Related materials

• Wood
• Formaldehyde
• Acetone
• Acetic Acid