methanooli

Methanooli, also known as methanol, is the simplest alcohol. Its chemical formula is CH3OH. It is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor. Methanol is miscible with water and many organic solvents. It is produced industrially primarily from synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which can be derived from natural gas, coal, or biomass.

Historically, methanol was produced by the destructive distillation of wood, hence its common name "wood alcohol." It is a highly toxic substance. Ingestion can cause blindness, organ damage, and death. This toxicity is due to its metabolism in the body to formaldehyde and formic acid. Methanol is used as a solvent, an antifreeze, and a fuel. It is a precursor to many other chemicals, including formaldehyde, acetic acid, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), although the use of MTBE as a gasoline additive has declined due to environmental concerns. Methanol can also be used in fuel cells and as a source of hydrogen.