Ethanol and Methanol

Methanol (CH₃OH) and ethanol (C₂H₅OH) are the most basic members of the primary alcohol family, with numerous applications in the fuel industry.

Ethanol:

Ethanol is a natural byproduct of plant fermentation that may also be created by the hydration of ethylene.

Ethanol is an essential industrial chemical; it is used as a solvent, in the production of other organic compounds, and as a fuel additive.

The chemical formula for ethanol is C₂H₆O, which implies it contains two carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. The structural formula for ethanol, C₂H₅OH, adds a bit more information, noting that the 2-carbon chain ends with a hydroxyl group (-OH).

Properties of Ethanol:

Ethanol with a melting point of 156 K and a boiling point of 351 K is liquid at room temperature. It is one of the most active components in any alcoholic beverage. Because it is an excellent solvent, it is also employed in the production of numerous medications such as cough syrups, tonics, and tincture iodine. Any amount of ethanol is completely soluble in water.

Furthermore, even a modest amount of pure ethanol can be fatal. Long-term alcohol consumption is harmful to one’s health.

Uses of Ethanol:

• Ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) is utilized in many hand sanitizers and medical wipes due to its antibacterial and antifungal qualities.
• Ethanol is widely used as a disinfectant and antiseptic.
• In situations of ethylene glycol or methyl alcohol poisoning, ethanol is frequently used as an antidote.
• A variety of drugs that are insoluble in water are frequently dissolved in ethanol. Some analgesics and mouthwashes, for example, employ ethanol as a solvent (in concentrations ranging from 1% to 25%).
• Ethanol is the main constituent in many alcoholic beverages that are ingested orally for recreational reasons. It serves as a psychoactive drug in humans, lowering anxiety and inducing pleasure. However, it serves as a depressive of the central nervous system (CNS) and also inhibits cognitive and motor skills.
• Ethanol is utilized in the manufacturing of ethyl esters, acetic acid, diethyl ether, and ethyl amines.
• Because of its propensity to dissolve both polar and nonpolar molecules, this chemical is commonly employed as a solvent.
• Ethanol, with a melting point of -114.1^oC, is utilized as a component in cooling baths in a number of labs. In a lot of spirit thermometers, it is found as an active fluid.
• Ethanol is commonly utilized as a gasoline additive and motor fuel. Ethanol is thought to minimize carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions when used as a fuel.

Methanol:

Methanol is the most basic alcohol, with the molecular formula CH₃OH. Because the hydroxyl group is chemically linked to the carbon atom, it is not a hydrocarbon.

It is made up of a methyl group coupled to a hydroxy group. It’s sometimes referred to as wood alcohol or methyl alcohol. It has a characteristic odour that is gentler and sweeter than that of ethanol. It has no colour and is very flammable. It is a highly flammable, light, and deadly liquid. Methanol is poisonous and can cause blindness if consumed. It is commonly used in the production of acetic acid and formaldehyde.

Properties of Methanol:

Methanol is a colourless liquid that boils at 64.96 degrees Celsius (148.93 degrees Fahrenheit) and solidifies at 93.9 degrees Celsius (137 degrees Fahrenheit). It burns with a nonluminous flame and generates explosive combinations with air. In water, it is totally miscible. Methanol has an odour similar to ethyl alcohol, the intoxicant in alcoholic beverages, but it is a hazardous toxin; drinking mixes containing it has resulted in numerous cases of blindness or death.

Uses of Methanol:

• Methanol is a common byproduct of the synthesis of acetic acid and formaldehyde.
• Methanol is frequently added to ethanol as a denaturant to prevent recreational usage.
• This substance is also utilized in many pipelines as an antifreeze (an additive that lowers the freezing point of a liquid).
• It is also employed in sewage treatment facilities because it provides a carbon source for denitrifying bacteria.
• Methanol is used as a destaining agent in the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) procedure.
• In high-performance engines, a combination of water and methanol is utilized to boost power.
• Methanol is used to make hydrocarbons, olefins, and certain aromatic chemicals.
• It is also used to make methyl esters and methylamines.
• Methanol is a fuel that may be used in a variety of internal combustion engines. However, the principal drawback of using methanol as a fuel is that it corrodes aluminium and several other metals. Another disadvantage of methanol as a fuel is that its energy density is roughly half that of gasoline.
• Methanol has the benefit of being relatively easy to store as a fuel. Storage of liquid methanol is far simpler than storage of hydrogen gas or natural gas. This compound’s other advantages include its biodegradability and short half-life in groundwater.

FAQs

What are ethanol's solvent properties?

Other organic solvents that are miscible with water include acetone, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene glycol, chloroform, benzene, diethyl ether, glycerol, pyridine, nitromethane, and toluene. This chemical is frequently miscible with light aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane and hexane, as well as aliphatic chlorides such as tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethane.

What is the difference between methanol and ethanol?

Ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol, is formed when the molecular structure of two carbon atoms breaks down. Methanol, often known as methyl alcohol, has only one carbon atom.

What is the odour of methanol?

Methanol and its vapours are combustible. It is a colourless, heated, volatile, flammable liquid with a characteristic odour comparable to ethanol (drinking alcohol).