Methanol is the simplest alcohol compound, consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms arranged as a methyl group (CH3), which is joined to an oxygen and a hydrogen atom in a hydroxyl group (OH), giving the chemical formula CH3OH. It may be referred to as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, or by the obsolete term carbinol. The compound differs from ethanol — the type of alcohol found in beers, wines and spirits — and is toxic. It is a colourless, tasteless, flammable liquid that is quite volatile and has a slight smell. Methanol is used in many industrial processes, in some types of antifreeze, as a fuel, and in the production of biodiesel.

The compound is widely used as a raw material in the production of other chemicals, particularly formaldehyde, which in turn is used in the production of plastics. It is added to ethanol intended for industrial or household cleaning purposes, as opposed to drinking, to render it undrinkable. This avoids the taxes payable on alcoholic drinks. The resulting product is known as denatured alcohol, or methylated spirit, and typically contains about 10% methanol. Methyl alcohol is also an ingredient in some antifreeze mixtures, in windshield wiper fluid, and is used as a solvent in various paints and varnishes.

Technical Data & MSDS

Methanol Technical Data

Methanol MSDS