Methanol

Methanol (CAS 67-56-1), also known as wood alcohol or wood naphtha, is a primary alcohol produced at industrial scale; used as a solvent, chemical feedstock, and fuel component.

Where is Methanol used?

• Petrochemical and energy: blended into fuel formulations
• Feedstock for dimethyl ether and other fuel additives
• Pharmaceutical: process solvent for API synthesis, extraction, and chromatography-scale purification
• Plastics and polymers: production of formaldehyde, acetic acid, and methyl methacrylate
• Printing and packaging: solvent systems in ink formulations where fast evaporation and resin compatibility are process requirements
• It serves as the foundational building block for downstream chemical synthesis.
• Together with isobutylene, a raw material for the gasoline additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).
• A coadjuvant in biodiesel production.
• A raw material for the production of olefins, particularly ethylene, avoiding the steam cracker process from petroleum and natural gas.
• A denaturant for ethanol.

Typical specification

• ASTM D1152-24 is a standard specification covering methanol of 99.85% grade.
• Soluble in water and many organic solvents.

Regulatory status

• Classified as a highly flammable liquid and vapour under CLP hazard statement H225.
• EU index number 603-001-00-X.
• Classified as H331: toxic if inhaled.
• Classified as H370: causes damage to organs.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Poses a greater fire or explosion risk on contact with strong oxidizers.
• Lower explosive limit (LEL) 55000 ppm.
• Vapours are denser than air and can travel along the ground to an ignition source and cause flashback.
• Containers can explode due to heat from a fire.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.