How does Methanol work?

Answer 1

I am not aware of any direct way of producing methanol from methane. The only two ways I know that you can make methanol is by reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen or by the pyrolysis of wood. Almost all the methanol made today is produced by the Syngas method. In it, methane is converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which are then formed into methanol. Researchers are working on a catalyst to directly convert methane to methanol, which is done by inserting one oxygen atom into a methane molecule, between the carbon atom and a hydrogen atom. Their biggest problem right now is the most efficient catalysts work at temperatures high enough to ignite methanol.

Answer 2

Methanol has three purposes in life: fuel, solvent and ingredient in another chemical.

As a fuel, CH3OH combines with O2 to create CO2, usually CO and H2O. Oh, and some heat, which is why you ignited it in the first place.

As a solvent, methanol breaks the bonds between molecules in the substance you want dissolved.

Its use as an ingredient depends on what you're making.

Answer 3

Methanol is primarily metabolized by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which can be toxic. It can be harmful if ingested or inhaled, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, vision problems, and even death in severe cases. Treatment usually involves supportive care and may include administration of antidotes like fomepizole or ethanol to inhibit methanol metabolism.