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Ethanol and Methanol are two variants of Alcohol. Alcohols are defined as the class of molecules which ends with a –OH group. Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, is made up of only one carbon atom. On the other hand, ethanol is made up of two carbon atoms, also known as ethyl alcohol. Ethanol is formed by combining an ethyl group (CH3CH2 –) with a hydroxyl group (–OH). Its formula is CH3CH2OH. Methanol is formed when a methyl group (CH3 –) combine with a hydroxyl group (–OH). Its formula is CH3OH. Identifying them can be a little difficult as they are both colourless liquids. They seem similar, has a similar sound and are both alcohols but they do have other different properties as well as uses.
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Key Terms: Methanol, Ethanol, Alcohols, Organic Compounds, Methyl Group, Hydroxyl Group, Ethyl Group, Carbon, Atoms, Freezing Point, Fermentation
What is Methanol?
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Methanol is the organic compound formed when a methyl group (CH3–) and hydroxyl group (–OH) react with each other. Its chemical formula is CH3OH. It is also known as wood alcohol. It has a distinctive odour and is milder and sweeter than Ethanol. It is widely used in the manufacturing of acetic acid and formaldehyde. Its consumption is toxic for health and can cause blindness.
Properties of Methanol
These are some of the properties of methanol:
- Methanol has a distinctive smell that is similar to ethanol.
- It is volatile, colourless and a flammable liquid.
Uses of Methanol
There are various uses of methanol. Some of them are:
- Its main use is as a feedstock for the production of chemicals.
- It is used in producing methylamines. Its application is also useful in the production of acetic acid and formaldehyde.
- It is used as an additive in reducing the freezing points of liquids.
- It is used in high-performance cars such as sprint cars and stunt cars as engine fuel in its pure form.
- It is also used as an essential laboratory solvent in techniques like HPLC.
Methanol
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|---|---|---|
| Uses of Methanol and Ethanol | Isopropyl Alcohol | Preparation of Alcohols |
| Nomenclature of Alcohols Phenols and Ethers | Esterification | IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Compounds |
What is Ethanol?
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Ethanol is made up of an ethyl group (CH3CH2–) and a hydroxyl group (–OH). It has a chemical formula: CH3CH2OH. It is a colourless liquid and is used as a primary source in alcoholic beverage making like beer, wine, rum, whisky etc. It can be produced when sugar is fermented by yeast. It can cause drowsiness and intoxication when ingested.
It has a wide range of applications in the world as well, like in the products of personal care, Beauty products, paints and varnish. It readily dissolves in water and other organic compounds. It is widely used in gasoline additives. Some of its industrial applications are in the manufacturing of solvents, plastics, medications, perfumes, antibacterial gels, and cosmetics.
Properties of Ethanol
These are some of the properties of Ethanol:
- Ethanol is a clear liquid with flammable and explosive quality.
- It is a colourless liquid solvent with a distinctive odour that creates smokeless blue flames that do not appear under natural light. It can evaporate when burnt in an open container.
Uses of Ethanol
Ethanol is used in a wide range of applications. Some of them are listed below:
- Ethanol has many industrial purposes like an antiseptic, a medicinal solvent, a chemical solvent, an engine fuel, as rocket fuel, for household heating, etc.
- It is used as a solvent because it has the ability to dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds.
- It is commonly used in beauty and cosmetic products.
Ethanol
Difference Between Methanol and Ethanol
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The similarities between methanol and ethanol are quite limited. Here are some of the major differences between methanol and ethanol:
| Methanol | Ethanol |
|---|---|
| Methanol is an alcohol with a methyl group in the Carbon skeleton. | Ethanol is alcohol with an ethyl group in the Carbon skeleton. |
| The flame burns with a light white colour. | The flame burns with light blue colour. |
| It is highly acidic when compared to water | It is a poor acid when is compared with water in terms of acidity. |
| It is unpredictable with a characteristic odour. | Ethanol has a heavy, burning smell. |
| It is made by the use of synthetic processes. | It is made by fermentation of food crops from factories. |
| As methanol is highly poisonous it can not be consumed as it is fatal. It is used in the production of compounds like formaldehyde | It is the primary ingredient for making alcoholic beverages. |
| It can cause blindness even when half a teaspoon of methanol is consumed. | Ethanol can cause drowsiness when consumed. |
Things to Remember
- Methanol is made up of only one carbon atom while ethanol is made up of two carbon atoms.
- Methanol is produced when a methyl group reacts with a hydroxyl group while ethanol is produced when an ethyl group reacts with a hydroxyl group.
- Both of them serve as liquid fuel however they are phased out in the USA. They have a similar look, taste, sound and both are alcohols.
- Methanol is colourless, volatile liquid while ethanol is a clear liquid with flammable properties.
- Methanol is highly acidic and ethanol is a poor acid.
- Methanol is made with the use of synthetic methods while ethanol is made by fermentation of food crops from factories.
Also Read:
Sample Questions
Ques. What is Methanol? (2 Marks)
Ans. Methanol is a primary alcohol that is made up of a methyl group (CH3) and a hydroxyl group (OH). It is a colourless liquid with a distinctive odour. It is milder and sweeter than Ethanol.
Ques. What is Ethanol? (2 Marks)
Ans. Ethanol is made up of an ethyl group (CH3CH2) and a hydroxyl group (OH). It is a colourless liquid where it is used to make alcoholic beverages. It is made up of the fermentation of sugar and can cause drowsiness when consumed.
Ques. What are the solvent properties of Ethanol? (2 Marks)
Ans. Ethanol has a density of 789 g/l, which is nearly 20% less than the water along with a low melting point hence it is used as an anti-freezing solution. It is also a powerful solvent that is easily soluble in water and is used in fragrances, paints, and tinctures. Alcohol beverages come in different flavours because different solvents can be added during the brewing process.
A disinfectant with 70 – 80% ethanol can kill viruses by denaturing their proteins and dissolving their lipids along with germs, fungi and bacteria. Due to its antibacterial properties, it is feasible to keep alcoholic beverages for a long period.
Ques. Is Methanol Acidic or Basic? (2 Marks)
Ans. Methanol is both an acid as well as a base. This is because, through the Bronsted-Lowry method, methanol is both a proton donor as well as a proton acceptor.
In accordance with Lewis' acid-base principle, electron-pair acceptors are acids and donors are bases. This term also applies to methanol. It is hence also amphoteric, a term used for a substance that is both acid and base.
Ques. Why is Methanol considered dangerous? (2 Marks)
Ans. Methanol is extremely poisonous and flammable.
If it is directly ingested more than 10mL then it can cause permanent blindness through optic nerve damage, central nervous system poisoning, coma and likely death. These types of risks also occur when inhaling methanol vapours.
Ques. What are some of the uses of Ethanol? (2 Marks)
Ans. Ethanol has various uses. Some of the important uses of Ethanol are:
- Ethanol has many industrial purposes like an antiseptic, a medicinal solvent, a chemical solvent, an engine fuel, as rocket fuel, for household heating, etc.
- It is used as a solvent because it has the ability to dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds.
Ques. What are some of the differences between methanol and ethanol? (5 Marks)
Ans. Given below are some differences between methanol and ethanol:
- Methanol burns with a light white flame while ethanol burns with a light blue flame.
- Methanol has a methyl group while ethanol has an ethyl group.
- Methanol has a high acidic value while ethanol is less acidic than water.
- Methanol is highly fatal when consumed and can be poisonous when consumed. But are used in manufacturing in formaldehyde. Ethanol is used in manufacturing alcoholic beverages like beers, wine, rum etc.
- Methanol can cause blindness even when half a teaspoon is consumed and Ethanol can cause drowsiness when consumed.
Ques. Give some uses of Methanol. (3 Marks)
Ans. The uses of Marthanol are described as follows:
- Methanol is used in producing methylamines and methylamines. Its application is also useful in the production of acetic acid and formaldehyde.
- It is used as an additive in reducing the freezing points of liquids.
- It is used in high-performance cars such as sprint cars and stunt cars as engine fuel in its pure form.
Ques. What are the properties of methanol and ethanol? (5 Marks)
Ans. The properties of methanol are as follows:
- Methanol has a distinctive smell that is similar to ethanol
- It is volatile, colourless and a flammable liquid.
Ethanol has the following properties:
- It is a colourless liquid solvent with a distinctive odour that creates smokeless blue flames that do not appear under natural light. It can evaporate when burnt in an open container.
- Ethanol is a clear liquid with flammable and explosive quality.
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