15 Facts About Methanol

Methanol is an organic chemical and the simplest aliphatic alcohol, with the formula CH3OH .

Methanol is found in abundant quantities in star-forming regions of space and is used in astronomy as a marker for such regions.

Methanol is converted to formaldehyde via alcohol dehydrogenase and formaldehyde is converted to formic acid via aldehyde dehydrogenase .

Methanol is primarily converted to formaldehyde, which is widely used in many areas, especially polymers.

Methanol is the precursor to most simple methylamines, methyl halides, and methyl ethers.

Methanol is a promising energy carrier because, as a liquid, it is easier to store than hydrogen and natural gas.

Methanol is an alternative fuel for ships that helps the shipping industry meet increasingly strict emissions regulations.

Methanol can be used with high efficiency in marine diesel engines after minor modifications using a small amount of pilot fuel .

Methanol is a widely used fuel in camping and boating stoves.

Methanol is mixed with water and injected into high performance diesel and gasoline engines for an increase of power and a decrease in intake air temperature in a process known as water methanol injection.

Methanol is used as a denaturant for ethanol, the product being known as "denatured alcohol" or "methylated spirit".

Methanol is used as a solvent and as an antifreeze in pipelines and windshield washer fluid.

Methanol was used as an automobile coolant antifreeze in the early 1900s.

Methanol is used as a destaining agent in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Methanol is more easily oxidized than is the feedstock methane, so the reactions tend not to be selective.