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Methanol and Ethanol (grain or drinking alcohol) are both metabolized by the liver, using an enzyme called Alcohol Dehydrogenase. However, the end products of this metabolism differ greatly.
Ethanol converts to acetaldehyde, which is quite toxic in its own right, but if produced/consumed in small quantities, it has the effect that most people notice when drunk. Acetaldehyde is the culprit for cirrhosis of the liver (scarring of the liver) and is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). However, again, in moderation, these negative effects are negligible.
With Methanol, the metabolism results in the formation of a far more toxic substance, formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is extremely toxic, because it is further converted to formic acid or formate through the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. Formate, or formic acid, can disrupt several metabolic and cellular systems.
The primary toxic effect of formate is the inhibition of cytochrome C oxidase in the mitochondria (power houses of the cell; primary systems that provide energy for each and every cell in the body). Cytochrome C oxidase is an enzyme that is integral to the use of oxygen in formation of energy (in the form of ATP) for cellular use. What this means is that the ultimate by-product of methanol metabolism results in interference with one of the primary pathways for cellular respiration (use of oxygen), causing symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) at the cellular level. On top of this, the accumulation of formic acid in cells causes metabolic acidosis, or the acidification of the blood.
After about 10 to 30 hours has passed from the time of consuming methanol, the build-up of formate/formic acid in the blood primarily affects the optic nerves, blurring the vision or completely and permanently blinding the individual. Once damaged, the optic nerve cannot repair itself. This damage is irreversible. This is a precursor to the formic acid further affecting other organs, mainly the brain and lungs, ultimately leading to death by way of respiratory failure (failure of the lungs).
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Difference between methanol and ethanol?
Methanol is CH3OH, ethanol is CH3CH2OH. Both are alcohols, ethanol has one carbon more (or a CH2 group more) and is less polar than methanol. Also ethanol has higher boiling point than methanol.
Why is methanol more polar than ethanol?
Methane is CH4 or H-CH3 Ethane is CH3-CH3 When compared to H- (in methane), the CH3- (methyl group in ethane) is more electron donating and hence ethane is more basic than methane.
What is more polar ethanol or water?
Water is more polar than ethanol. This is because water has stronger hydrogen bonding due to the presence of more hydrogen-bonding sites (two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom), making it a better solvent for polar substances. Ethanol is also polar but has weaker hydrogen bonding compared to water.
How does ethanol counteract the poisonous effects of methanol?
Most of the toxic effects of methanol [H3C-OH], are from the first metabolite, formaldehyde [ H2C=O], which occurs when the enzyme Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) oxidizes methanol into formaldehyde and the hemiacetal [CH(OH)2] - the later spontaneously forms formaldehyde in the presence of water. There are 6 subtypes of ADH in humans, which vary based on race and genetics, but they all have a preferred substrate, ethanol, when compared to methanol.When ethanol is given to someone who has consumed methanol, the active site of the enzyme ADH fits ethanol [CH3CH2OH] better than methanol [CH3OH]; the ethanol gets metabolized more often than the methanol. By occupying the active site on the enzyme with ethanol, the methanol is metabolized more slowly into the far more toxic metabolite, formaldehyde, than it would be if ethanol were not present. This gives the body a smaller amount of formaldehyde to deal with at any given time, and the toxic effects are more easily contained. The toxic effects of the smaller amount of formaldehyde do not cause irreversible damage because the cells that were the most sensitive to formaldehyde (the liver, the kidneys and the retinae) do not get as much damage and can repair themselves up to a point.Now this is an important point as to why this procedure works: Most drugs follow first order kinetics, K1, meaning that the enzyme detoxifies a constant percentage of the drug in a certain period of time (the time for 50% of a drug to be metabolized is called the half-life or t1/2 ). But ethanol and methanol follow zero order kinetics(K0), meaning a certain amount (weight or volume) of the drug is metabolized in a fixed time, for ethanol, it is about 1 oz per hour.For Advanced students who are interested in Enzymology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or Toxicology,, here are some additional pieces of information:A)Now, realistically, all drugs follow first order kinetics K1 within a certain range, and zero order kinetics K0 when the enzyme is saturated (meaning there is far too much of the drug around and far too little enzyme, so that even if every active site on every enzyme were occupied at one time, there would still be lots of drug left over.) Most drugs have a physiologic/pharmacologic effect in the microgram -- gram range; alcohol is the exception. When alcohol gets metabolized below about one gram, we start to see first order kinetics K1 instead of zero order kinetics K0. I have been asked in class many times if there are any enzymes that follow K2 or second order kinetics, like when a co-factor such as a vitamin is involved (Vitamin A in the Krebs Cycle for Acetyl-CoA). The answer is emphatically, NO. The probability of three molecules meeting together at random in the correct orientation approaches zero. It would be such a rare event that you could not sustain life if this were required. The binding of a co-factor or other component to an enzyme is a separate step, and is unrelated to t1/2 because there is so much co-factor around compared to the drug, that for all intensive purposes, you can assume, under normal conditions, that the enzyme and co-factor are always bound together.B)Ethanol is oxidized by ADH into acetaldehyde and ethylene glycol, both of which are far less toxic than formaldehyde (not non-toxic, however, just less toxic; all three compounds are relatively toxic with formaldehyde>ethylene glycol>acetaldehyde.) The drug Antabuse(disulfiram), inhibits the enzyme Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, which converts acetaldehyde into acetate or acetic acid (3% (v/v) acetic acid in water is vinegar). It is acetaldehyde that is partly responsible for hangovers and makes most people feel bad in the ethanol metabolism chain, not ethanol itself or acetic acid.MobiusDick
Does all gas contain methanol?
Not all gasolines contain methanol. Methanol is an oxygenate and is distilled. When Methanol is used all Major Manufacturers discourage mixtures above 10%. The other Oxygenates used are: Ethanol which is produced by fermentation and when used the Major manufaturers discourage a mix greater than 10%. Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) which is also a distilled product and when used The Major manufacturers discourage a mix of more than 15%. in many states these are only used during the winter months but there are some moajor metropolitian areas in the US that mandate that only oxygenated fules can be sold year round.
Which one is used as antifreeze methanol or ethanol?
Both methanol and ethanol can be used as antifreeze, but methanol is more commonly used due to its lower freezing point and better compatibility with engine materials. However, ethanol is also used as an antifreeze in some applications, particularly in countries where it is more readily available.
From ethanol and methanol which is more soluble in water?
Ethanol is more soluble in water than methanol because ethanol has a longer hydrocarbon chain which increases its ability to hydrogen bond with water molecules, making it more soluble. Methanol has a shorter hydrocarbon chain which reduces its ability to hydrogen bond with water molecules, decreasing its solubility.
What are the key differences in toxicity between methanol and ethanol?
Methanol is more toxic than ethanol. Methanol can cause severe health effects, including blindness and death, even in small amounts. Ethanol, found in alcoholic beverages, is less toxic and is metabolized more safely by the body.
Difference between methanol and ethanol?
Methanol is CH3OH, ethanol is CH3CH2OH. Both are alcohols, ethanol has one carbon more (or a CH2 group more) and is less polar than methanol. Also ethanol has higher boiling point than methanol.
What is the chemical difference between methanol and ethanol?
The main difference between methanol and ethanol is their molecular structures. Methanol has one carbon atom, one oxygen atom, and three hydrogen atoms, while ethanol has two carbon atoms, one oxygen atom, and five hydrogen atoms. Additionally, methanol is more toxic to humans compared to ethanol.
What is the difference between ethanol and mithanol?
The main difference between ethanol and methanol is in their chemical structures. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, has two carbon atoms whereas methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, has one carbon atom. Ethanol is commonly found in alcoholic beverages, while methanol is used as a solvent and fuel. Methanol is more toxic to humans compared to ethanol.
Is 20 percent methanol a hazardous material?
Methanol is considered hazardous because it can cause irritation and blindness. If you drink to much methanol you can go blind. I am not sure how much quanitiy wise it is. I deal with 100% methanol and get it on my skin. It evaporates extremely fast and makes my hands feel cold. Even with gloves on the cold effect still happens. Read your MSDS in your labaratory for more information on Methanol and the concentration of methanol that you possess. In case you didn't know methanol's formula is 1 carbon and 4 hydrogen and 1 oxygen. If you add a carbon and a few hydrogens you get ethanol. Ethanol's formula is 2 carbons and 6 hydrogens and 1 oxygen. Ethanol is the alcohol is your drinking alcohol. Back in the 19th century and before this time people would try to distill ethanol but they mistakenly made methanol. They would drink drink the methanol in error and become blind because of this. This process of making homemade alcohol (moonshine) of course is illegal and still is.
What does ethanol and methanol have in common?
Ethanol and methanol are both types of alcohol with similar chemical structures. They are commonly used as solvents, fuels, and disinfectants. However, they have different toxicities, with methanol being more toxic than ethanol when ingested.
Is methanol a volatile liquid at room temperature true or false?
ethanol Edit- this would be methanol because ethanol is a 2-carbon chain compared to the 1C in ethanol, and therefore has more intermolecular forces. As a result, molecules of ethanol would need more energy to break these intermolecular forces to be in a gaseous phase.
What 5 substances can be classified as liquid and flammable?
There are far more than five. Ethanol, methanol, 2-propanol, pentane, and hexane are five extremely common examples.
Why is methanol more polar than ethanol?
Methane is CH4 or H-CH3 Ethane is CH3-CH3 When compared to H- (in methane), the CH3- (methyl group in ethane) is more electron donating and hence ethane is more basic than methane.
Why methanol not used in drinnk?
Methanol is found in very trace amounts in alcoholic beverages. It is far more toxic and flammable than ethanol; if used in drinks, it would cause blindness and even death.
