Methanol is the simplest alcohol with the chemical formula CH₃OH. It is a colorless, volatile liquid widely used in chemical industries, fuels, solvents, and as a raw material for various chemical syntheses. Due to its high toxicity, methanol must be handled with extreme care and used only under controlled conditions.

Features:

• Colorless, volatile, and water-soluble
• Flammable
• Toxic and corrosive on contact or ingestion

Applications:

• Industrial solvent in the production of resins, paints, and varnishes
• Production of formaldehyde and basic chemicals
• Fuel and fuel additive
• Pharmaceutical and laboratory use (with safety precautions)
• Production of methyl esters and other chemical derivatives

Technical Specifications

• Chemical Formula: CH₃OH
• Molar Mass: 32.04 g/mol
• Density: 0.7918 g/cm³ at 20°C
• Boiling Point: 64.7°C
• Melting Point: -97.6°C
• Color: Colorless
• Odor: Slight alcoholic

Hazards and Safety

• Toxic and hazardous: ingestion or inhalation is extremely dangerous
• Flammable; keep away from heat and flames
• Skin and eye contact must use protective equipment
• Use only in well-ventilated areas

Packaging and Storage

• Metal or durable plastic barrels
• Storage Temperature: 15–25°C, away from direct sunlight
• Keep away from heat and sparks

Industrial Applications

• Chemical Industry: production of formaldehyde, resins, and solvents
• Fuel & Energy: fuel additive and biodiesel production
• Pharmaceutical & Laboratory: raw material for chemical syntheses
• Production of methyl esters and other industrial derivatives

In the 19th century, methanol was extracted from wood distillation and was known as “wood alcohol”. It was used as a lamp fuel and industrial solvent during that period.

Studies in 2023 show that methanol can serve as a carrier for green hydrogen production in fuel cells, playing a key role in clean energy technologies. Scientific Source