Difference Between Ethanol and Methanol

Introduction

Methanol, as well as ethanol, are both alcohols, yet they serve completely distinct purposes. To avoid harm, it is important to conduct considerable study while deciding which alcohol to use. Methanol is a kind of alcohol that is used to make gasoline, and solvents, including antifreeze. In contrast, ethanol is a fundamental element in alcoholic drinks. Whenever it comes to price, environmental effect, or hazards, each alcohol has benefits but also downsides. Among the most frequent chemical molecules is alcohol. Any organic molecule is classified by 1 or more hydroxyl groups (𝑂𝐻) that are normally connected to the 𝐶-atom of an alkyl group. There are numerous other forms of alcohol, but the 2 most common are ethanol as well as methanol.

There are various varieties of alcohol, each with its function.

What is Methanol?

It is the most fundamental component of the alcohol family. Its chemical formula is

$\mathrm{CH_{3}OH}$ It is a form of alcohol that should not be consumed. It's also known as wood alcohol or methyl alcohol, but it's found in gasoline, solvents, and even antifreeze. It is also used in the production of other compounds such as acetic acid. It is naturally present in fruits or even vegetables as part of their metabolic activities.

In addition, when it combines with oxygen gas, it produces carbon dioxide $\mathrm{(CO_{2})}$ as well as water $\mathrm{(H_{2}O))}$. In addition, certain bacteria species create methanol spontaneously through anaerobic respiration. Aside from that, we can create it industrially using fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal.

Properties of Methanol

• It is a flammable liquid that is volatile

• Methane combines with steam over a nickel catalyst at moderate pressures (10- 20 atm) but also high temperatures (about 850 ⁰C) to create syngas

$$\mathrm{CH_{4}\:+\:H_{2}O\:\rightarrow\:CO\:+\:3H_{2}}$$

• A combination of copper $\mathrm{(Cu)}$, zinc oxide $\mathrm{(Zno)}$, and alumina $\mathrm{(Al_{2}O_{3})}$ is the most often employed catalyst. It can accelerate the formation of methanol $\mathrm{(CH_{3}OH)}$ from carbon monoxide $\mathrm{(Co)}$ and hydrogen at 50-100 atm as well as 250 ℃.

$$\mathrm{CO\:+\:2H_{2}\:\rightarrow\:CH_{3}OH}$$

 

Properties	Methanol
Formula	$\mathrm{CH_{3}OH}$
Appearance	Colourless liquid
Molecular weight	32.04 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
Odour	Sweet and pungent
B.P.	64.70C
Solubility in water	Fully miscible
M.P.	-97.60C
Density	0.792 𝑔/𝑐𝑚3

Uses of Methanol

• Its primary application is as a feedstock in the manufacturing of chemicals.

• It is utilised in the synthesis of methylamines. Its usage is also beneficial in the synthesis of acetic acid with formaldehyde.

• It is used as an additive to lower liquid freezing points.

• In its pure form, it is utilised as engine fuel in high-performance vehicles such as sprint cars or even stunt cars.

• It is also utilised as a lab solvent in procedures such as HPLC.

What is Ethanol?

It has the chemical formula $\mathrm{C_{2}H_{5}OH}$ and is simple alcohol. It is a polar substance. Because of the presence of the $\mathrm{OH}$ group, it may also create hydrogen bonds. It’s also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. It is an important component in beer, wine, and even brandy.

Since ethanol is easily dissolved in water plus other organic substances, it can be found in a variety of different items. This alcohol is a natural outcome of plant fermentation that occurs from ethylene hydration. The sugar fermentation procedure with the zymase enzyme may readily produce ethanol. At low concentrations, it is less hazardous than methanol (𝐶𝐻3𝑂𝐻). However, it is poisonous to the body as well as, in the liver, it turns to acetaldehyde, which is similarly harmful.

Properties of Ethanol

• It is a transparent liquid that is flammable but also explosive that produces smokeless blue flames that are invisible in natural light. It can evaporate when burned in an open bottle.

$$\mathrm{C_{2}H_{5}OH\:+\:3O_{2}\:\rightarrow\:2CO_{2}\:+\:3H_{2}O}$$

• When heated with sulphuric acid at 443 𝐾, ethanol dehydrates, losing 1 $\mathrm{H_{2}O}$ molecule to produce an alkene.

$$\mathrm{C_{2}H_{5}OH\:+\:H_{2}SO_{4}\:\rightarrow\:CH_{2}\:=\:CH_{2}\:+\:H_{2}O}$$

• Acetic acid, as well as water molecules, are produced during oxidation with alkaline $\mathrm{KMnO_{4}}$.

$$\mathrm{C_{2}H_{5}OH\:+\:[O]\:+\:KMnO_{4}\:\rightarrow\:CH_{3}COOH\:+\:H_{2}O}$$

 

Properties	Ethanol
Formula	$\mathrm{CH_{3}CH_{2}OH}$
Appearance	Clear colourless liquid
Molecular weight	46.07 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
Odour	Specific
B.P.	78 0C
Solubility	Miscible
M. P.	-114 0C
Density	0.789 𝑔/𝑐𝑚3

Uses of Ethanol

• It has several industrial applications, including antiseptic, medical solvent, chemical solvent, motor fuel, rocket fuel, and domestic heating.

• It is utilised as a solvent since it dissolves both polar as well as nonpolar substances.

• It is widely found in makeup including cosmetics goods.

Difference Between Ethanol and Methanol

It is often known as ethyl alcohol, which is the primary alcohol generated by the hydroxyl group replacing a hydrogen atom in the alkane ethane.	It is the primary alcohol generated by a hydroxyl group substitution of a hydrogen atom in the alkane methane.
It has the chemical formula $\mathrm{C_{2}H_{5}OH}$.	Its chemical formula is $\mathrm{CH_{3}OH}$.
It is a less potent acid.	It contains a more potent acid.
The fermentation of sugar in the presence of yeast produces ethanol.	It is synthesised by catalysing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, as well as hydrogen.
Alcoholic drinks include ethanol as an active component.	It is very poisonous and should not be consumed.
The molar mass of ethanol is greater.	It has a smaller molar mass than ethanol.
The boiling point of ethanol is greater.	It has a lower boiling point than water $\mathrm{H_{2}O}$.
Ethanol is a biodegradable liquid.	It is an exhaustible liquid.

Conclusion

Ethanol $\mathrm{(C_{2}H_{5}OH)}$ is a more flexible solvent than methanol since it may make a homogeneous mixture when combined with water plus other organic solvents such as carbon tetrachloride, diethyl ether, acetone, nitromethane, ethylene glycol, benzene, chloroform, glycerol, pyridine, toluene, among others. Methanol $\mathrm{(CH_{3}OH})$ is water- soluble, biodegradable alcohol composed of 4 parts hydrogen, 1 part oxygen, and 1 part carbon. It is a biodegradable yet clean-burning fuel. Both chemicals perform important roles that are widely used in a variety of sectors.

FAQs

1. Methanol is acidic or basic?

Methanol is both an acid and a basic. This is because methanol acts as both a proton donor and acceptor in the Bronsted-Lowry technique. Electron-pair acceptors are acids, whereas donors are bases, according to Lewis' acid-base principle. As a result, it is also amphoteric, a term used to describe a chemical that is both acidic as well as basic.

2. Why is Methanol regarded as hazardous?

Methanol is exceedingly toxic but also combustible. If more than 10 𝑚𝐿 is directly consumed, it can induce irreversible blindness through optic nerve damage, central nervous system poisoning, coma, and even death. These dangers are also present while breathing methanol vapours.

3. What are Ethanol's solvent characteristics?

Because ethanol has a density of 789 𝑔/𝑙, which is roughly 20 percent less than water $\mathrm{(H_{2}O)}$, and has a low melting point, it is employed as an anti-freezing solution. It is also a strong solvent that dissolves quickly in water $\mathrm{(H_{2}O)}$ and is used in perfumes, paints, as well as tinctures. Because different solvents may be used during the brewing process, alcohol drinks can have a variety of flavours. A disinfectant containing 70-80 percent ethanol can destroy viruses by denaturing their proteins but also dissolving their lipids, in addition to germs, fungi, as well as bacteria. Because of their antimicrobial characteristics, alcoholic beverages may be stored for an extended amount of time.

4. What exactly is denatured alcohol?

It is ethanol that has been treated with chemicals to make it toxic, bad-tasting, foul- smelling, or sickening to discourage its recreational use. To denature ethanol, pyridine, as well as methanol, are added.

5. What are the similarities and differences between ethanol vs methanol?

Ethanol, as well as methanol, are both types of alcohol. Ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol, has a 2-carbon atom chemical structure. Methanol, often known as methyl alcohol, has only 1 𝐶-atom.