Methanol:

Methanol is known as methyl alcohol, ‘wood alcohol’ can be produced by the destructive distillation of
wood. Today, most of the methanol is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide at high
pressure and temperature and in presence of Cu-ZnO – CrO 3 catalyst.

It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable, poisonous liquid with a distinctive
odor that is somewhat milder and sweeter than ethanol (ethyl alcohol). It is used as an antifreeze,
solvent, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol.

Ethanol:

Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless, mildly toxic chemical
compound with a distinctive perfume-like odor, and is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.

It is commercially prepared by fermentation:

Distillation of a solution of ethanol and water produces an azeotrpe containing 95% ethanol and 5%
water. Pure ethanol is obtained by membrane technology. The commercial alcohol is made unfit for
drinking by mixing it with some copper sulphate and pyridine. It is known as denaturation of alcohol.

Ethane- 1,2 – diol (Ethylene Glycol):

Ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol (MEG), IUPAC name: ethane-1,2-diol) is an alcohol with two -OH
groups (a diol), a chemical compound widely used as an automotive antifreeze. In its pure form, it is an
odorless, colorless, syrupy liquid with a sweet taste. Ethylene glycol is toxic. It is used as a coolant,
Dacron, polyester and wrinkle free clothing.

Propan-1,2,3-triol (Glycerol):

Glycerol, also well known as glycerin and glycerine, and less commonly as propane-1,2,3-triol, 1,2,3-
propanetriol, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane, glyceritol, and glycyl alcohol is a colorless, odorless,
hygroscopic, and sweet-tasting viscous liquid. Glycerol is a sugar alcohol and has three hydrophilic
alcoholic hydroxyl groups (OH-) that are responsible for its solubility in water. Glycerol is prochiral.

Aditya Baser 2006-07

Aditya Baser 2006-07