methyl alcohol (or methanol) is a colorless liquid.It can be easily mixed with water and various solvents having an organic basis.The taste and smell of methyl alcohol (formula CH3OH) has virtually no differences from ethanol, but it is poisonous and can cause severe poisoning.Methanol has a low boiling point.It is 64.5 degrees Celsius.When burning the substance it has a pale blue flame and smokes.
Under natural conditions, it is impossible to find methanol in free form.In nature, there are only methyl alcohol derivatives, which are ester oils and substances.They are ubiquitous.Anthranilic acid methyl ester contained in the oil of jasmine and salicylic - oil of wintergreen.Derivatives of alkaloids found in methanol, natural dyes etc.
previously obtained methanol produced by the process of dry distillation of wood raw material.Modern industrial manufacturers use synthetic methods.
Methyl alcohol is widely used as a solvent for paints and varnishes.It is used as a starting member to produce formaldehyde, dimethyl sulfate, methyl chloride, and other compounds produced by chemical means.He is also a component of antifreeze and is used to denature ethanol.
Methanol is a poison, which applies to the vascular and nervous systems.Toxic substances caused by its oxidation when ingested and converted into a life-threatening formaldehyde.
methyl alcohol poisoning which can occur after receiving five to ten milliliters causes blindness in humans.A dose exceeding thirty grams, is often the cause of death, which occurs on interruption of the respiratory system, lung edema or brain and uremia or collapse.Symptoms of mild poisoning with methanol may arise:
- headaches;
- malaise;
- weakness;
- nausea;
- chills;
- vomiting.
thus presents a health hazard not only methyl alcohol in pure form, but also mixtures thereof, in which the methanol content is small.Receipt of a toxic substance in the body can take place not only through the digestive system.Alcohol vapors penetrate the lungs.Methanol in minor amounts is able to penetrate into the body and through the skin.
Methyl alcohol in some countries is used as a denaturant for ethanol element.The resulting reaction of the chemical substance is a component of drugs produced in the perfume industry.Russian legislation prohibits the use of methanol in products intended for mass consumption.
Methyl alcohol finds its use as an intermediate for synthesizing the bulk of the industrial chemical sector.On its basis the polymers and various organic substances.Methanol is widely used as an agent in the preparation of certain pesticides.
Methyl alcohol is a raw material for producing methylamine, pentaerythritol, and hexamine.Its use in the production of polyvinyl chloride, urea and ion-exchange resins, as well as in the manufacture of photographic film.Without methanol ammonia plant can not be operated.Methanol finds widespread use in the pharmaceutical industry in the manufacture of medicaments.This liquid can be used as fuel in power plants, to be a substitute for gasoline vehicles.None of methanol produced acetic acid and a synthetic rubber.This substance also finds its application in industry and the oil and gas facilities.
