Methyl alcohol refers to monohydric alcohols. This is one of the most dangerous poisons for humans, poisoning with which can be fatal. It is found in low-quality alcohol.
Physical and chemical properties of methyl alcohol
Methyl alcohol is a readily mobile colorless liquid that smells and tastes like ethyl alcohol. It is able to dissolve in many organic solvents: benzene, esters, as well as water. Methyl alcohol boils at a temperature of 64 ° C. For different mixtures in which it is included, this value may differ slightly.
For the first time, methyl alcohol was obtained by J. Dumas and E. Peligo with the help of dry wood processing products. This happened at the end of the 19th century. Already in 1923, it began to be synthesized on an industrial scale.
From a chemical point of view, methyl alcohol refers to monohydric alcohols, which have the properties of a weak acid and base. It is capable of reacting with water vapor in the presence of a catalyst (the reaction takes place in low-power plants). As a result of this interaction, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide is obtained. If carbon dioxide is removed from this mixture, 98% hydrogen can be obtained. When interacting with active metals (sodium, potassium and others), methylates are obtained, and with acids, esters are obtained.
Methyl alcohol poisoning
Methyl alcohol is a strong poison for the body. Even a small dose (about 5-10 ml) is enough to permanently lose sight. With mild poisoning, severe headache and nausea are observed. The person gets tired very quickly and becomes irritable. In case of moderate poisoning, the patient is disturbed by frequent dizziness, vomiting and headaches. Methyl alcohol affects the central nervous system and after 2-6 days causes partial or complete loss of vision. In severe poisoning, all of the above symptoms are observed, which quickly develop into a coma. Blood pressure decreases, pupils dilate, and breathing becomes shallow. Three out of four people survive after severe methyl alcohol poisoning. They remain disabled for life.
Methyl alcohol use
Methyl alcohol is used in industry for the manufacture of many organic substances: acetic acid, methyl chlorides, methylamines, and also some drugs. This alcohol has a high octane number, which allows it to be used as an additive to gasoline in order to save raw materials. Technologies for obtaining other alcohols from it, in particular, ethyl alcohol, are being actively developed.
