Nomenclature
CAS number: 67-56-1
Methyl alcohol; carbinol; wood spirit; wood alcohol.
CH
4O; mol wt 32.04.
C 37.49%, H 12.58%, O 49.94%.
CH
3OH.
Description and references
Originally obtained by the destructive distillation
of wood, now usually manuf from hydrogen and carbon monoxide or carbon
dioxide, also by oxidation of hydrocarbons. Review: Faith, Keyes & Clark's Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York,
4th ed., 1975) pp 524-529; L. E. Wade et al., in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology vol. 15 (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 3rd ed., 1981)
pp 398-415. Review of metabolism and toxicology: J. Liesivuori,
H. Savolainen, Pharmacol. Toxicol. 69, 157-163 (1991).
Properties
Flammable, poisonous, mobile liq. Slight alcoholic
odor when pure; crude material may have a repulsive, pungent odor.
Burns with a non-luminous, bluish flame. d40 0.8100; d415 0.7960; d420 0.7915; d425 0.7866. mp 97.8°. bp760 64.7°; bp400 49.9°; bp200 34.8°; bp100 21.2°; bp60 12.1°; bp40 5.0°; bp20 6.0°; bp10 16.2°; bp5 25.3°; bp1.0 44.0°; nD15 1.33066; nD20 1.3292. Vapor density: 1.11 (air = 1). Flash pt, closed cup: 54°F (12°C). Ignition
temp 470°C (878°F). Explosive limits (%-vol in air): 6.0 to 36.5.
Crit temp 240.0°; crit pressure 78.5 atm. Specific heat at 20-25°
= 0.595 to 0.605. Dipole moment 1.69. Miscible with water, ethanol,
ether, benzene, ketones, and most other organic solvents. Forms azeotropes
with many compds.Caution
Potential symptoms of overexposure
are irritation of eyes, skin, upper respiratory system; dermatitis;
headache, drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, light headedness, nausea,
vomiting, anorexia; weakness, fatigue; abdominal, back and leg pain;
visual disturbances, dimness of vision, dilated pupils; optic nerve
damage, bilateral blindness. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140,
1997) p 200; Clinical Toxicology of Commercial
Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams
& Wilkins, Baltimore, 5th ed., 1984) Section III, pp 275-279.Use
Industrial organic solvent. Solvent and solvent
adjuvant for polymers. Solvent in the manuf of vitamins, hormones,
and other pharmaceuticals. Raw material for making formaldehyde and
methyl esters of organic and inorganic acids. Antifreeze for automotive
radiators and air brakes; ingredient of gasoline and diesel oil antifreezes.
Octane booster in gasoline. As fuel for picnic stoves and soldering
torches. Extractant for animal and vegetable oils. To denature ethanol.
Softening agent for pyroxylin plastics.