Browsing: Methanol

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a simple alcohol with the chemical formula CH3OH. It is a colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid that is used extensively as an industrial solvent, antifreeze, fuel, and as a precursor to other chemicals such as formaldehyde. Methanol is produced primarily through the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide, a process that can utilize both fossil fuels and renewable resources, making it an important substance in the chemical industry. Due to its toxicity, methanol ingestion can be dangerous, potentially causing metabolic acidosis, visual disturbances, and neurological damage. Its significance extends into emerging technologies, where it is being explored as a clean energy carrier in the form of direct methanol fuel cells, offering a potential alternative to fossil fuels in transportation and power generation.