Methanol

Methanol

What Is Methanol?

Methanol is the simplest alcohol: a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group. Light, colorless, highly flammable, and volatile, it is commonly used in scientific research as a solvent, de-colorant, or denaturant.

Although methanol was used for embalming by ancient Egyptians, pure methanol was isolated by Robert Boyle in 1661 and its composition determined by Jean-Baptiste Dumas and Eugene Peligot in 1834.

Available in a variety of grades and percentages, methanol is also used as a reagent in the synthesis of chemicals such as acetic acid or formaldehyde.

Methanol is used:

  • In many analytical wet lab techniques, including chromatography, spectometry, and chemical synthesis 
  • To manufacture paints, adhesives, foams, and textiles 
  • For fuel and to make biodiesel 
  • As a denaturant for industrially produced ethanol 

Although similar to ethanol (drinking alcohol) in appearance and odor, methanol is toxic to the nervous system. Methanol that is ingested, inhaled, or otherwise absorbed can lead to blindness, coma, and death.

When working with methanol, the environment must be properly ventilated, and personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used to protect the eyes, face, and skin. Methanol containers should not be left open to the air and closed containers should be stored in dry, cool, and well-ventilated locations. To extinguish methanol fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or alcohol-resistant foam.

Synonyms: Methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, carbinol, wood spirit, 67-56-1, methylol, methyl hydroxide, MeOH, methyl hydrate

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Physical and Chemical Properties

PropertyValue  

Property

Molecular Weight
Value
32.04 g/mol
 
 
 
 

Property

Molar Mass
Value
32.042 g/mol
 
 
 
 

Property

Density
Value
0.791 g/mL at 25ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Boiling Point
Value
64.7ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Melting Point
Value
-98ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Flash Point
Value
11.1ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Viscosity
Value
0.544 cP at 25ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Dielectric Constant
Value
33.00 at 20ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Dipole Moment
Value
1.7
 
 
 
 

Property

UV Cutoff
Value
210 nm
 
 
 
 

Property

Refractive Index
Value
1.329 at 20ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Vapor Density
Value
1.11 (vs. air)
 
 
 
 

Property

Exact Mass
Value
32.026215 g/mol
 
 
 
 

Property

Monoisotopic Mass
Value
32.026215 g/mol
 
 
 
 

Uses

Methanol is highly versatile and a critical component of olefins, formaldehyde, and hundreds of other chemicals.

About 40 percent of the methanol produced worldwide is used to make formaldehyde, which is ultimately used in plastics, plywood, paints, explosives, textiles, and many other products.

Methanol is a traditional denaturant for ethanol and used as a solvent, antifreeze ingredient, and windshield washer fluid. It is also used in automotive and marine fuel, DME and bioDME, biodiesel, fuel cells, electricity, and boilers and cookstoves.

Designations and Grades

PropertyValue  

Property

CAS Number
Value
67-56-1
 
 
 
 

Property

MDL Number
Value
MFCD00004595
 
 
 
 

Property

RIDAD /UN Number
Value
UN 1230 3/PG 2
 
 
 
 

Property

Beilstein Registry
Value
1098229
 
 
 
 

Property

EG/EC Number
Value
2006596
 
 
 
 

Property

NSC Number
Value
85232
 
 
 
 

Property

ICSC Number
Value
0057
 
 
 
 

Property

RTECS Number
Value
85232
 
 
 
 

Grades

ACS, ACS Reagent, Certified ACS

Anhydrous/Dry/Extra Dry

Biochemical

Electronic/Semiconductor

GC, Capillary GC

GC Gradient

GC/Pesticide Residue

Histological

HPLC Gradient

HPLC/UHPLC

Laboratory/Technical

LC-MS, Ultra LC-MS

Low Water

Mobile Phase

NF/USP

Purge and Trap

Sequencing

Spectrophotometry

Solvent Blends

Trace Metals

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