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Methanol vs. Ethanol: Properties & Uses

Methanol (CH₃OH) and ethanol (C₂H₅OH) are both primary alcohols with distinct preparation methods, physical properties, and uses. Methanol is produced from syngas, biomass gasification, and wood distillation, while ethanol is derived from glucose fermentation and ethene hydration. Methanol is highly toxic and used as a fuel and solvent, whereas ethanol is less toxic, used in fuels and beverages, and has renewable environmental benefits.

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10 views1 page

Methanol vs. Ethanol: Properties & Uses

Methanol (CH₃OH) and ethanol (C₂H₅OH) are both primary alcohols with distinct preparation methods, physical properties, and uses. Methanol is produced from syngas, biomass gasification, and wood distillation, while ethanol is derived from glucose fermentation and ethene hydration. Methanol is highly toxic and used as a fuel and solvent, whereas ethanol is less toxic, used in fuels and beverages, and has renewable environmental benefits.

Uploaded by

anubhavjha315
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Topic Methanol (CH₃OH) Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)

Classification Primary alcohol, methyl alcohol, Primary alcohol, ethyl alcohol.


simplest alcohol.

Preparation 1. From CO + H₂ (syngas, 1. Fermentation of glucose:


catalyst). C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂
2. Biomass gasification → bio- (yeast).
methanol. 2. Hydration of ethene: CH₂=CH₂
3. Destructive distillation of wood + H₂O → C₂H₅OH.
(old method).

Physical Colourless, volatile liquid. Colourless liquid.


Properties Boiling point 64.7 °C. Boiling point 78.4 °C.
Completely miscible with water. Completely miscible with water.

Chemical Oxidises → formaldehyde → Oxidises → ethanal → ethanoic


Properties formic acid. acid.
Esterification with acids. Esterification → ethyl esters
Dehydration → dimethyl ether. (ethyl ethanoate).
Dehydration → ethene.

Uses • Fuel (green methanol). • Fuel (bioethanol, petrol blends


• Solvent. E10–E85).
• Formaldehyde production. • Solvent, antiseptic.
• Marine fuel. • Beverage alcohol.
• Hydrogen carrier. • Feedstock for esters and acetic
acid.

Hazards Highly toxic, causes blindness Less toxic, but excessive causes
and death if ingested. intoxication and liver damage.
Flammable vapours. Flammable.

Environmental Green methanol: from Bioethanol: renewable fuel,


Notes renewable H₂ + CO₂, acts as reduces CO₂ emissions in
hydrogen carrier, decarbonises transport, circular carbon if
shipping. biomass-based.

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