Methanol

Properties
-Physical Properties:
Appearance: Colorless, transparent liquid with a pungent odor.
Density: 0.7918 g/cm³.
Melting Point: -97.6°C.
Boiling Point: 64.7°C.
Flash Point: 11.3°C.
Soluble in water and most organic solvents, hygroscopic.
Molecular Weight: 32.04 g/mol.

-Chemical Properties:
Methanol is an electrophilic compound and often acts as a nucleophile in chemical reactions.
It can be oxidized to formaldehyde and carbon dioxide or reduced to methane and water.
In the presence of strong acids, methanol can form methyl compounds.
Methanol has good solubility and can mix with many organic substances.

Applications
-Industrial Applications:
As a raw material for organic synthesis, used to produce formaldehyde, methyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol, and other important chemical products.
Used as a solvent, dehydrating agent, and coolant.
Methanol is an important raw material in the production of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, coatings, resins, dyes, and synthetic fibers.

-Energy Sector:
Methanol can be used as a biofuel and alternative fuel, utilized in fuel cells and automotive fuel.
Methanol fuel cells efficiently generate electricity at low temperatures and are environmentally friendly.
As an automotive fuel, methanol can effectively control emissions and reduce environmental pollution.

-Others:
Methanol is used to produce formaldehyde, which is its largest application, accounting for about 40% of methanol supply.
As an organic solvent, it is present in many products, including windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, correction fluids, fuel additives, paints, and other coatings.
Methanol is used in the production of industrial chemicals, such as methyl methacrylate and dimethyl terephthalate.
Methanol is used as a fuel additive, such as HEET, which is pure methanol used as a pipeline antifreeze and de-icing agent.
Methanol is also used as fuel for camping stoves and small heating devices, as well as for small engines used in model (airplanes, boats).