Methanol

Chinese Name: Methanol
Foreign Name: Methanol
Also Known As: Hydroxymethane, Wood Alcohol, Wood Spirit
Chemical Formula (Simplified): CH₃OH
Molecular Formula: CH₄O
Molecular Weight: 33.048
CAS Registry Number: 67-56-1
EINECS Number: 200-659-6
Melting Point: -97.8 °C
Boiling Point: 48.09 °C
Solubility: Soluble in water, miscible with alcohols and most organic solvents
Density: 0.777 g/cm³
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Flash Point: 11.11 °C
Application Areas:
1. One of the basic organic raw materials, used in the production of various organic products such as chloromethane and dimethyl sulfate.
2. The main application of methanol is in the production of formaldehyde, which is used to make adhesives, primarily for the wood processing industry, and also as a treatment agent for molded plastics, coatings, textiles, and paper.
3. Another major use of methanol is in the production of acetic acid. Acetic acid consumption accounts for about 7% of global methanol demand and is used to produce vinyl acetate, cellulose acetate, and acetate esters, with demand closely related to coatings, adhesives, and textiles.
4. Methanol can be used to produce methyl formate, which is used in the production of formic acid, formamide, and other fine chemical products, as well as insecticides, fungicides, fumigants, tobacco treatment agents, and gasoline additives.

6. Can be synthesized into dimethyl carbonate, an environmentally friendly product used in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and special industries.
7. Can be synthesized into ethylene glycol, a petrochemical intermediate used in the production of polyesters and antifreeze.
8. Can be used to produce growth promoters. These can significantly increase crop yields, keep leaves fresh and lush, prevent wilting in summer, greatly reduce irrigation water usage, and benefit the growth of dryland crops.
9. Can be synthesized into methanol protein. Methanol protein, produced by microbial fermentation using methanol as a raw material, is known as the second-generation single-cell protein. Compared to natural protein, it has higher nutritional value, with crude protein content much higher than fishmeal and soybeans, and is rich in amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. It can replace fishmeal, soybeans, bone meal, meat, and skimmed milk powder. 
10. Methanol is used as a cleaning and degreasing agent. MOS grade is mainly used for discrete devices, medium- and large-scale integrated circuits, while BV-III grade is primarily used for ultra-large-scale integrated circuit process technology.
11. Used as an analytical reagent, such as a solvent, methylating agent, and chromatographic analysis reagent. Also used in organic synthesis.
12. Methanol is generally a better solvent than ethanol and can dissolve many inorganic salts. It can also be blended into gasoline as an alternative fuel.
13. Methanol is not only an important chemical raw material but also an excellent energy source and automotive fuel. Methanol reacts with isobutylene to produce MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), a high-octane unleaded gasoline additive, and can also be used as a solvent. Additionally, it can be used to produce olefins and propylene, addressing resource shortages.
14. Methanol can be used to produce dimethyl ether (DME). Besides its wide applications in daily chemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, dyes, and coatings, DME offers convenience, cleanliness, high cetane number, good dynamic performance, low pollution, easy pressurization into liquid form, and easy storage as a fuel. A new liquid fuel made by blending methanol and DME in certain proportions is called alcohol-ether fuel, which has higher combustion and thermal efficiency than liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).