1. April 4, 2005 Metabolism 1 Names of Team Members
Methanol
April 4, 2005
Metabolism 1
Names of Team Members

2. Why Study this Topic
One of the simplest and one of the most important alcohols
Has multiple uses
Don’t mistake it with ethanol alcohols which are drinkable
Can be used for industrial reasons
It eases life

3. Background Definition
Methanol (methyl alcohol) is produced from the distillation of wood and is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a weak odor that is somewhat sweeter than ethanol

4. Background cont. The chemical property is CH3OH Forms a methyl group H
The carbon bonded with three hydrogen’s creates the methyl group H |
H – C – O – H

5. Background cont. Uses of Methanol Fuel
Windshield wiper fluids and de-icers
Antifreeze
Cleaners
Canned heat
Paints, Varnishes, Paint Thinners and Removers

6. History First used by Egyptians by pyrolysis of wood
Robert Boyle isolated pure methanol in 1661
Jean-Baptist Dumas and Eugene Peligot determined its elemental composition in 1834
Introduced the word methylene to organic chemistry, from the Greek words methu, meaning "wine," and hyle, meaning "wood"
Methyl derived in 1840 from methylene, and then applied to describe methyl alcohol; shortened to methanol in 1892 by the International Conference on Chemical Nomenclature

7. Chemical Principles
Melting Point
-97.8OC
Boiling Point
64.7OC

8. Chemical Properties cont.
Production
Synthesis gas is usually produced from the methane in natural gas rather than from coal
At moderate pressures (10–20 atm) and high temperatures (around 850°C), methane reacts with steam on a nickel catalyst to produce syngas
CH4 + H2O CO + 3H2

9. Chemical Properties cont.
Production cont.
Carbon monoxide and hydrogen react on a second catalyst to produce methanol
Most widely used catalyst is a mixture of copper, zinc oxide, and alumina
At 50–100 atm and 250°C, it can catalyze the production of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen
CO + 2H CH3OH

10. Chemical Principles cont.
Combustion
Over several days, atmospheric methanol is oxidized by oxygen and sunlight to carbon dioxide
Methanol burns in air forming carbon dioxide and water
2CH3OH + 3O CO2 + 4H2O
A methanol flame is almost colorless

11. Health and Safety Methanol is toxic: Treatment:
It metabolites formic acid and formaldehyde which causes blindness and death
Enters the body by ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin
If ingested, a doctor should be contacted immediately.
Fatal dose: 100–125 mL (4 oz.)
Treatment:
Injection of ethanol: it slows down the breakdown of methanol by the liver

12. Heath and Safety Symptoms Poisonous by ingestion or inhalation
May cause respiratory failure, kidney failure, and blindness
Skin contact can cause dermatitis
headache, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, confusion, drowsiness, followed by unconsciousness and death

13. Pros and Cons Pros Does not contribute to air pollution
Less toxic to plants and animals then conventional gasoline or diesel
Biodegradable
Less flammable and safer to handle then gasoline
Made from renewable resources
Runs cooler then gasoline in vehicles

14. Pros and Cons cont.
Cons
Highly corrosive and has no lubricating qualities
Expensive to produce on a large scale
Freezes at a temperature that is reasonably reached by outside temperature, during winter

15. References
Baird, Colin; Gloffke, Wendy. Chapter 6. Chemistry in Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company. New York, 2003
Consumer Energy Council of America. Alternative Fuels and Fuel Additives. (29, March 2005)
Dictionary.Laborlaw.com. Methanol. (29, March 2005)
EMBBS: Bringing PhysiciansTogether Worldwide. Methanol. (29, March 2005)