Methanol - Properties, Structure, Occurrence, Uses with FAQs

Q: Describe the CH3OH chemical name.

Chemical name of CH 3 OH is methyl alcohol as it contains an alcoholic group which is represented by OH.

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:58 PM IST

Methanol is generally said to be an alcohol where alcohol group is represented by the formula OH and ends with the subscript ol. Therefore, it is said to be an alcohol, methanol ended with the word ol.

Methanol chemical formula is CH₃OH. Where CH₃ the methyl group linked with the hydroxyl group. Methanol is not said to be a hydrocarbon as hydrocarbons only contain hydrogen and carbon atoms while methanol contains oxygen atom also or we can say that in methanol hydroxyl group is chemically bonded with the carbon atom.

This Story also Contains

Physical properties of methanol:
Nature of methanol
Uses of methanol

Methanol is also known as wood alcohol or methyl alcohol. Methanol consists of a distinctive odour and somewhat milder and sweeter as compared to ethanol. Methanol is generally colorless in nature and of volatile nature. It is a flammable, light and poisonous liquid. Methanol is said to be of toxic nature when it is consumed by humans then it can cause blindness too. The main use of methanol is in the manufacturing of acetic acid and formaldehyde.

Methanol was first isolated in the year of 1661 by the scientist Robert Boyle. Methanol was produced through the distillation of boxwood also known by the name buxus. This is the old method of producing methanol while nowadays methanol is prepared by the direct combination reaction in which carbon monoxide gas combines with hydrogen gas and this reaction further proceeds in the presence of a catalyst. Methanol is a very common solvent used in laboratories. It is also used in the manufacturing of ethanol and acts as a denaturant additive in that process.

Also read -

Physical properties of methanol:

Methanol is generally present in liquid form which is colorless and volatile in nature. Methanol formula is CH₃OH. Molecular mass of CH₃OH or methanol molecular weight is given by 32.04 g/mol. Density is 792 kg/m3 and methanol boiling point and melting points can be considered as 64.7ºC and, -97.6ºC, respectively.

Structure

Methanol is also known by the name methyl alcohol so methyl alcohol structure or we can say methanol structure or methanol structural formula is shown as follows:

methanol structure

The three-dimensional form of methyl alcohol can also be seen which is as follows:

three dimensional form of methyl alcohol

Also, students can refer,

NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics

This ebook serves as a valuable study guide for NEET exams, specifically designed to assist students in light of recent changes and the removal of certain topics from the NEET exam.

Download EBook

Nature of methanol

Methanol is of basic as well as of acidic nature where basic are those substances which are capable of accepting the protons while acids are those which are capable of donating the protons. Here methanol both proton donors and proton acceptors are present where proton donors are acidic according to Bronsted-Lowry concept and proton acceptors are said to be base. In usual methanol is said to be proton donor as it readily donates O-H proton to some heavy bases like sodium hydride etc.

Occurrence

Methanol in small amounts is present in every normal and healthy human being. Study shows that by inhaling the oxygen a normal person can also inhale 4.5 ppm of methanol along with the oxygen. Mean value of endogenous methanol found in humans is 0.45 g/d which may be metabolized from pectin which is found in fruits. The most in taking fruit apple contains 1.4 g of methanol per kg.

It is also found in some regions of space in the year of 2006, astronomers by using merlin array of radio telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory found a large cloud of methanol in space while in year 2016 astronomers also found methanol in a planet forming disc around the star named TW Hydrae by using radio telescope named ALMA.

Manufacturing of methanol

Methanol can be manufactured by treating carbon monoxide with hydrogen in the presence of catalyst which further produces methanol and the main catalyst used during this process are mixture of copper and zinc oxide and reaction can be shown as follows:

In the manufacture of synthesis gas from methane, three moles of hydrogen are produced for every mole of carbon monoxide, whereas the synthesis utilizes only two moles of hydrogen gas for every mole of carbon monoxide. Carbon dioxide injection into the methanol synthesis reactor, where it, too, reacts to generate methanol according to the equation:

It can also be produced by the biosynthesis process. Methane can be converted into methanol by catalytic conversion which is further affected by enzymes which include methane monooxygenases. This type of enzymes are known as mixed function oxygenases where oxygenation is done with the combination which produces water and NAD⁺ where NAD is known as Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Reaction of this can be shown as:

Related Topics,

Uses of methanol

There are many applications of methanol in industry as well as in daily life, these uses can be explained as follows:

1. Methanol is used in the formation of polymers when they are converted into formaldehyde.

2. One of the important uses of methanol is to produce hydrocarbons.

3. Methanol can also be used as a precursor for methyl ethers, methylamines and methyl halides.

4. Methanol is also useful in the automobile industry; it is used as a fuel in internal combustion engines.

5. This is used as one of the excellent energy carriers.

6. Methanol can also be used in wastewater plants.

7. Methanol is used as fuels in boating stoves and camping.

8. Methanol is also used as an anti-freezing reagent.

9. Another important use of methanol is these are used in the synthesis of a number of chemicals.

10. Pure form of methanol is used in the manufacturing of perfumes, resins and other pharmaceuticals due to its odour.

Other than these uses it is also used as an ingredient in many consumer products like glass cleansers and as a thinner in paints. Methanol is also used for drinking purposes. There are also many harmless methanol-containing products available in the market which can be consumed by humans. Methanol is also present in fruit juices and in those spirits which are distilled naturally.

Also check-

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Describe the CH3OH chemical name.

Chemical name of CH₃OH is methyl alcohol as it contains an alcoholic group which is represented by OH.

2. Define toxicity of methanol.

Methanol is a highly dangerous and combustible substance. Direct intake of more than 10mL can result in lifelong blindness, poisoning of the central nervous system, coma, and death. Inhaling methanol vapours has similar dangers.

3. Why is methanol used as perfumes?

Methanol is flammable in nature and present in the form of liquid which is colorless in nature and this contains odor which is somewhat similar to ethanol but not as strong so it will be used for making perfumes.

4. Methanol is said to be an acid or base?

Methanol is said to be of basic as well as of acidic nature where basic are those substances which are capable of accepting of the protons while acids are those which are capable of donating the protons. Here methanol both proton donors and proton acceptors are present where proton donors are acidic according to Bronsted-Lowry concept and proton acceptors are said to be base. In usual methanol is said to be proton donor as it readily donates O-H proton to some heavy bases like sodium hydride etc.

5. What is methanol and why is it called "wood alcohol"?

Methanol is the simplest alcohol with the chemical formula CH3OH. It's called "wood alcohol" because it was historically produced by the destructive distillation of wood. Today, it's primarily synthesized from carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

6. How does the structure of methanol contribute to its properties?

Methanol's structure consists of a methyl group (CH3) bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH). This structure allows for hydrogen bonding between molecules, giving methanol its relatively high boiling point and miscibility with water compared to other hydrocarbons of similar molecular weight.

7. How does methanol occur naturally?

Methanol occurs naturally in small amounts in the environment. It's produced by anaerobic metabolism in many bacteria and is found in small quantities in some fruits and vegetables. It's also a minor component of volcanic gases.

8. Why is methanol more toxic than ethanol?

Methanol is more toxic because it's metabolized in the body to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which can cause severe acidosis and damage to the optic nerve. Ethanol, on the other hand, is broken down into acetaldehyde and then acetate, which are less harmful.

9. How does methanol's polarity compare to that of water?

Methanol is less polar than water but more polar than most organic compounds. This is due to its hydroxyl group, which can form hydrogen bonds, but its overall polarity is reduced by the presence of the nonpolar methyl group.

10. What are the main industrial uses of methanol?

Methanol has various industrial applications, including as a solvent, antifreeze, fuel additive, and a feedstock for producing other chemicals like formaldehyde, acetic acid, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).

11. Why is methanol sometimes used as an alternative fuel?

Methanol is used as an alternative fuel because it burns cleaner than gasoline, producing fewer emissions. It also has a higher octane rating, allowing for better engine performance. However, its lower energy density compared to gasoline is a drawback.

12. What is the role of methanol in biodiesel production?

Methanol is a key component in biodiesel production. It's used in the transesterification process, where vegetable oils or animal fats react with methanol in the presence of a catalyst to produce biodiesel and glycerol as a byproduct.

13. How does methanol's freezing point compare to water, and why is this significant?

Methanol's freezing point (-97.6°C) is much lower than water's (0°C). This property makes methanol useful as an antifreeze in automotive and industrial applications, as it can prevent water from freezing in cold temperatures.

14. What is the significance of methanol in the chemical industry?

Methanol is a crucial building block in the chemical industry. It's used to produce numerous chemicals including formaldehyde, acetic acid, and various plastics. It's also used in the production of biodiesel and as a solvent in many industrial processes.

15. How does the boiling point of methanol compare to other alcohols, and why?

Methanol has a lower boiling point (64.7°C) compared to ethanol (78.4°C) and higher alcohols. This is because methanol has a shorter carbon chain, resulting in weaker van der Waals forces between molecules, despite its ability to form hydrogen bonds.

16. How is methanol produced industrially?

Industrially, methanol is primarily produced through a catalytic reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas at high temperatures and pressures. This process is known as methanol synthesis or the syngas process.

17. How does the viscosity of methanol compare to water and other common solvents?

Methanol has a lower viscosity (0.544 cP at 25°C) than water (0.890 cP at 25°C) but higher than many organic solvents like acetone. This property affects its flow characteristics and is important in applications where it's used as a solvent or fuel.

18. How does methanol's refractive index compare to other common liquids?

Methanol has a refractive index of about 1.329, which is lower than water (1.333) and ethanol (1.361). This property is useful in optical applications and can be used to identify or verify the purity of methanol.

19. How does methanol's heat capacity compare to water?

Methanol has a lower specific heat capacity (2.53 J/g·K) than water (4.18 J/g·K). This means it requires less energy to raise its temperature by a given amount, which can be significant in certain heating or cooling applications.

20. How does methanol's dielectric constant compare to other solvents?

Methanol has a relatively high dielectric constant (32.7 at 25°C) compared to many organic solvents, though lower than water (78.5 at 25°C). This property makes methanol a good solvent for many polar compounds and influences its behavior in chemical reactions.

21. How does methanol's autoignition temperature compare to gasoline?

Methanol has a higher autoignition temperature (464°C) compared to gasoline (approximately 280°C). This means methanol is less likely to spontaneously ignite under high temperature conditions, which can be a safety advantage in some applications.

22. How does methanol's thermal conductivity compare to water?

Methanol has a lower thermal conductivity (0.202 W/m·K at 25°C) than water (0.609 W/m·K at 25°C). This property affects its heat transfer characteristics and is important in applications where methanol is used as a coolant or heat transfer fluid.

23. How does methanol's vapor density compare to air?

Methanol vapor is denser than air, with a relative vapor density of 1.11 (air = 1). This means methanol vapor can accumulate in low-lying areas, which is an important safety consideration in handling and storage.

24. How does methanol's enthalpy of vaporization compare to water?

Methanol has a lower enthalpy of vaporization (35.21 kJ/mol) compared to water (40.65 kJ/mol). This means it requires less energy to vaporize, which is significant in distillation processes and its use as a volatile solvent.

25. What safety precautions should be taken when handling methanol?

When handling methanol, one should wear protective gloves, goggles, and work in a well-ventilated area. Methanol is highly flammable and toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. It's crucial to avoid any ingestion or skin contact.

26. What is the difference between methanol and methane?

Methanol (CH3OH) is an alcohol, while methane (CH4) is the simplest hydrocarbon. Methanol contains a hydroxyl group, making it polar and soluble in water, whereas methane is nonpolar and insoluble in water. Methanol is a liquid at room temperature, while methane is a gas.

27. How does methanol affect the human body differently from ethanol?

While both are alcohols, methanol is much more toxic. Ethanol primarily affects the central nervous system, causing intoxication. Methanol, however, is metabolized to formic acid, which can cause severe acidosis, blindness, and even death in small amounts.

28. How does the structure of methanol contribute to its solubility in water?

Methanol's hydroxyl group (-OH) can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, making it highly soluble in water. The methyl group (-CH3) is small enough not to significantly interfere with this interaction, allowing methanol to mix with water in all proportions.

29. What is the environmental impact of methanol production and use?

Methanol production can have environmental impacts, particularly when derived from fossil fuels. However, it can also be produced from renewable sources like biomass. When used as a fuel, methanol burns cleaner than gasoline, producing fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases.

30. How does methanol's vapor pressure compare to water, and why is this important?

Methanol has a higher vapor pressure than water at the same temperature. This means it evaporates more readily, which is important in applications like fuel cells and as a solvent in quick-drying products.

31. What is the role of methanol in the production of formaldehyde?

Methanol is the primary feedstock for formaldehyde production. It's oxidized in the presence of a catalyst (usually silver or metal oxide) to form formaldehyde. This reaction is crucial as formaldehyde is used in the production of many resins and plastics.

32. How does the reactivity of methanol compare to higher alcohols?

Methanol is generally more reactive than higher alcohols due to its smaller size and less steric hindrance. This makes it more susceptible to oxidation and dehydration reactions, which is useful in many industrial processes but also contributes to its toxicity.

33. What is the significance of methanol in the energy sector?

Methanol plays a significant role in the energy sector as an alternative fuel and a component in fuel cells. It's used in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and can be blended with gasoline to improve octane rating and reduce emissions.

34. How does the heat of combustion of methanol compare to gasoline?

Methanol has a lower heat of combustion (about 19.7 MJ/kg) compared to gasoline (about 46.4 MJ/kg). This means that more methanol is needed to produce the same amount of energy, which is a consideration in its use as a fuel.

35. What is the role of methanol in the production of biodegradable plastics?

Methanol is used in the production of some biodegradable plastics. For example, it's a key ingredient in the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which are biodegradable polyesters produced by certain bacteria when fed with methanol.

36. How does methanol contribute to the formation of smog?

While methanol itself is not a major contributor to smog, its oxidation products (formaldehyde and formic acid) can participate in photochemical smog formation. However, methanol-fueled vehicles generally produce less smog-forming emissions than gasoline-powered ones.

37. What is the relationship between methanol and methyl formate?

Methyl formate is the ester formed from methanol and formic acid. It can be produced by the carbonylation of methanol or the esterification of formic acid with methanol. Methyl formate is used as a precursor in the production of formic acid and dimethylformamide.

38. How does methanol's dipole moment compare to water and ethanol?

Methanol has a dipole moment (1.69 D) that is lower than water (1.85 D) but higher than ethanol (1.69 D). This reflects methanol's intermediate polarity between these two common solvents, influencing its solvent properties and miscibility.

39. What is the role of methanol in antifreeze solutions?

Methanol is used in antifreeze solutions due to its low freezing point and ability to mix with water. It lowers the freezing point of water-based solutions, preventing them from freezing in cold temperatures. However, it's being replaced by less toxic alternatives like ethylene glycol in many applications.

40. How does methanol interact with metals?

Methanol can react with some metals, particularly in the presence of air or water. It can cause corrosion in certain metals like magnesium and aluminum alloys. This is important in the design of storage and transport systems for methanol.

41. What is the significance of methanol in the production of acetic acid?

Methanol is a key raw material in the production of acetic acid through the carbonylation process. In this process, methanol reacts with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to form acetic acid, which is widely used in the chemical industry.

42. What is the role of methanol in the production of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)?

Methanol is a key reactant in the production of MTBE. It reacts with isobutylene in the presence of an acid catalyst to form MTBE, which is used as a fuel additive to increase octane rating and reduce emissions in gasoline.

43. What is the significance of methanol in the production of dimethyl ether?

Methanol is the primary feedstock for the production of dimethyl ether (DME). Two methanol molecules are dehydrated to form one DME molecule. DME is used as an aerosol propellant and is being explored as a clean-burning alternative fuel.

44. How does methanol affect rubber and plastic materials?

Methanol can degrade certain types of rubber and plastics, causing swelling, softening, or dissolution. This is important in the selection of materials for storage, transport, and use of methanol, particularly in automotive and industrial applications.

45. What is the role of methanol in the production of methyl methacrylate?

Methanol is used in the production of methyl methacrylate through the ACH process (Acetone Cyanohydrin process). It reacts with acetone cyanohydrin to form methyl methacrylate, which is the monomer used to produce polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), commonly known as acrylic or plexiglass.

46. How does the surface tension of methanol compare to water?

Methanol has a lower surface tension (22.7 mN/m at 20°C) compared to water (72.8 mN/m at 20°C). This property makes methanol useful in applications where low surface tension is desired, such as in cleaning solutions or as a component in inks.

47. What is the significance of methanol in the production of silicone polymers?

Methanol is used in the production of silicone polymers as a reactant in the hydrolysis of chlorosilanes. This process produces silanol intermediates, which then undergo condensation to form silicone polymers. The methanol is typically recovered and recycled in this process.

48. What is the role of methanol in the production of methylamines?

Methanol is a key reactant in the production of methylamines. It reacts with ammonia in the presence of a catalyst to form mono-, di-, and trimethylamine. These methylamines are important intermediates in the production of various chemicals, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

49. What is the significance of methanol in the production of biodiesel?

Methanol is a crucial reactant in the transesterification process used to produce biodiesel. It reacts with triglycerides (fats or oils) in the presence of a catalyst to form fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerol as a byproduct.

50. What is the role of methanol in the production of hydrogen for fuel cells?

Methanol can be used to produce hydrogen for fuel cells through a process called steam reforming. In this process, methanol reacts with water vapor at high temperatures to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This is advantageous because methanol is easier to store and transport than hydrogen.

51. What is the significance of methanol in the production of methyl chloride?

Methanol is a key reactant in the production of methyl chloride. It reacts with hydrogen chloride gas in the presence of a catalyst to form methyl chloride and water. Methyl chloride is an important intermediate in the production of silicones, methylcellulose, and other chemicals.

52. What is the role of methanol in the production of methyl formate?

Methanol is a reactant in the production of methyl formate. It can react with carbon monoxide in the presence of a sodium methoxide catalyst to form methyl formate. This reaction is known as methanol carbonylation and is an important industrial process.

53. What is the significance of methanol in the production of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)?

Methanol is a key reactant in the production of MTBE. It reacts with isobutylene in the presence of an acid catalyst to form MTBE. MTBE has been used as a fuel additive to increase octane rating and reduce emissions, although its use has decreased due to environmental concerns.

54. How does methanol's solubility parameter compare to other solvents?

Methanol has a relatively high solubility parameter (29.7 MPa^0.5) compared to many organic solvents, but lower than water (47.9 MPa^0.5). This property is useful in predicting its solvent behavior and misc