Methyl alcohol

Molecular Formula (Methyl Alcohol (Methanol)): CH ₃ OH

Molecular Weight: 32.042 g/mol

Chemical Name: Methyl Alcohol, Methanol

CAS Number: 67-56-1

Methyl Alcohol (Methanol) is also known as wood alcohol. It does not have a very good impression on the public. It was used in the production of illegal alcohol because of its low cost. Many people were poisoned and harmed because of this. For this reason, Methanol created a bad impression on the public.

The formula for Methyl Alcohol is CH3COH.

This alcohol formula is the simplest type.

Methyl Alcohol is the simplest type of alcohol. It is a polar liquid at room temperature. It is the simplest fatty alcohol. It has the general properties of primary aliphatic alcohol. Three hydrogen atoms on a carbon atom containing a hydroxyl group can oxidize in an orderly manner, producing Formaldehyde, Formic Acid and Carbon Dioxide.

Other Names Are As Follows;

• Methanol
• 67-56-1
• Wood alcohol
• Methylol
• Methyl Hydroxide
• Carbinol
• Methyl Hydrate
• MeOH
• Hydroxy Methane
• Monohydroxymethane
• Alcohol, Methyl
• Methyl

How is it produced?

Its production is based on the principles of the methanol process under low pressure, by catalytically converting the gas from which it is synthesized into Methyl Alcohol (Methanol).

The reason for preferring the low-pressure system is that it has lower investment cost, lower production cost, operations can be carried out safely during the production process and the size of the facility to be established for methanol production is flexible.

Production catalysts such as copper that operate at low temperatures are used in modern Methanol production.

Natural gas is the most economical and most common raw material used for the production of Methyl Alcohol. The most common raw material used in China is coal.

Low pressure Methyl production was developed in the late 1960s.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties of Methyl Alcohol?

Methanol is often confused with Ethanol due to its properties. However, their areas of use are very different from each other.

It is a colorless and highly volatile liquid with a slightly pungent odor like ethyl alcohol. It is completely miscible with water. Methyl (Methanol) vapors are slightly heavier than air.

Its physical appearance is that of a colorless liquid. If it is pure, it has a slight alcoholic odor.

The boiling point is 65.4 °C.

Its melting point is -98 ° C.

Its density is 0.791 g/mLt.

It is miscible with benzene in terms of solubility.

Miscible with ethanol, ether, benzene, many organic solvents and ketones.

It is also soluble in acetone and chloroform.

How to Store?

It can be stored in storage areas that are not exposed to direct sunlight and are not flammable or explosive.

Methanol packaging can be stored in IBC tanks and plastic drums.

Since methyl has a very low boiling point, extreme care should be taken during storage.

Where are the areas of use of Methyl Alcohol?

• In terms of usage, it is used as antifreeze, solvent, fuel and denaturant for ethanol.
• Methyl is used to produce biodiesel by the chemical transesterification reaction.
• Methyl is used as a denaturant additive in the production of ethanol used for industrial purposes.
• Acetic acid or acetic anhydride can be produced by carbonylation using methanol.
• It is the main raw material in the production of formaldehyde. In the production reaction here, 2 types of catalysts are used. 1 is a ribbon catalyst and the other is a metal oxide catalyst. In the production in the presence of the first catalyst, the efficiency is in the range of 50-60%. In the production in the presence of the second catalyst, the remaining amount is produced.
• Its uses include the production of hydrocarbon chains and aromatic systems.
• It is used in polymer production. It is used as a solvent in this field.
• It is used as a laboratory chemical.
• It can be used in the production of chemicals such as sulfonamides, amines, etc.
• Methanol is a very important type of alcohol for the production of dimethyl terephthalic acid, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid and methyl ester.
• It is used in the determination of boron in laboratory studies.
• It is used as an anti-freezing agent.
• Methyl is used as a solvent for the separation of Calcium sulphate and Magnesium sulphate.
• It is the most suitable alcohol derivative for the separation of strontium bromide and barium bromide.
• Methanol is a good alternative fuel source. This is because it has a low flash point. This means it burns quickly. This is why it is used in racing vehicles.
• It is also used to cool engines due to its evaporation rate.
• It is used in the manufacture of adhesives and sealants.
• It is used as an anti-scaling agent in the manufacture of corrosion inhibitors.
• Methyl (Methanol) is used as an industrial waste treatment agent.
• It is used in the manufacture of automotive maintenance products.
• It is used in the manufacture of some agricultural chemicals.
• Methyl Alcohol is used in the production of chafing dish fuel used to start a fire, in order to benefit from its solvent and flammable properties.
• It is used together with Methylene Chloride to dissolve asphalt bitumen consisting of high molecular weight hydroxycarbons, thus increasing its solvent power.
• It is used in electrical and electronic products.
• During the biodiesel production process, it reacts with oil and initiates the production process.
• Methanol is used in the manufacture of air care products.
• It can be used as a disinfectant in industrial environments or environmental disinfection, in areas where there will be no human contact.