This article was co-authored by Gregory Cade, JD and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Gregory Cade is an Environmental and Occupational Law Attorney. With over 25 years of experience, he has extensive knowledge in injuries resulting from toxic substance exposure like pesticides. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including The American Bar Association, The National Association of Environmental Professionals, and The American Association for Justice. Gregory graduated with a BS in Natural Science and Mathematics with an emphasis in Chemistry and Biology and an MPH in Occupational Health, Safety, and Industrial Hygiene from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also holds a JD from Miles School of Law.
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Methanol and ethanol might be rhyming alcohols that look and smell the same, but that’s about where the similarities end. These very different chemicals are used in a wide variety of products from cologne to formaldehyde, and one of them can even give you the liquid courage to chat up that attractive stranger across the bar. In this article, we’ll walk you through the differences between methanol and ethanol from the molecular level to mass factory production (including what happens if you consume either one). Let’s take a look!
Things You Should Know
- Ethanol and methanol are both types of alcohol. Ethanol is the kind found in alcoholic beverages, while methanol is toxic and used for industrial purposes.
- Both chemicals are clear, flammable, and smell like alcohol. Ethanol produces blue flames when it’s burned, and methanol burns white or nearly invisible.
- Ethanol is made through fermentation for drinkable alcohol or produced in factories for things like fuel. Methanol is made artificially to produce other chemicals.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
Warnings
- Methanol is highly toxic and should never be consumed, inhaled, or come into contact with your eyes or skin.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/methanol
- ↑ https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/ethanol-ethyl-alcohol
- ↑ https://biologydictionary.net/methanol/
- ↑ https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/why-is-drinking-rubbing-alcohol-bad
- ↑ https://canadasafetycouncil.org/methanol/
- ↑ http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-ethanol-and-methanol/
- ↑ https://www.americanelements.com/boiling-point.html
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/alcohol/Commercially-important-alcohols
- ↑ https://biologydictionary.net/methanol/
- ↑ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/769779/Ethanol_PHE_general_information_070119.pdf
- ↑ https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/ethanol-ethyl-alcohol
- ↑ https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol_fuel_basics.html
- ↑ https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/methanol
- ↑ https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/emerging_methanol.html
- ↑ https://edu.rsc.org/experiments/a-test-to-distinguish-between-ethanol-and-methanol/548.article