Question

What is the formula for methanol?

Answer 1

Hint :We know that Methanol is the first and simplest member of the alcohol family in organic chemistry. It is a one carbon alcohol. It is often addressed by its common name, methyl alcohol. Another common name of methanol is wood spirit or wood alcohol.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
The chemical formula of Methanol is $ C{{H}_{3}}OH. $ Since its chemical structure is a linkage between a methyl $ \left( CH \right) $ group and a hydroxyl group $ \left( OH \right), $ it is sometimes also written as $ MeOH, $ where $ Me $ stands for Methyl. The molecular weight (or molar mass) of Methanol is $ 32.04\text{ }g/mol. $ The various forms in which the molecular structure of Methanol can be represented are given below: The carbon present in the Methanol is sp hybridized. Due to the presence of hydroxyl groups, the structure of Methanol can easily form intermolecular hydrogen bonds with hydrogen bond acceptors. The mixture of water-methanol mixtures is one of the classical examples studied for hydrogen bonding. Methanol got these names due to its historical relevance when it was first discovered to be a product that forms when cellulose (the main sugar component present in wood) gets fermented by any form of bacteria.

Additional Information:
Its odour is very similar to Ethanol (which is used as drinking alcohol and is often mistaken for Ethanol and results in alcohol poisoning. It is very harmful topically too and may cause skin damage if someone comes in direct contact with it. Its toxicity is basically due to the metabolic products it forms when acted upon by biological enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase

Note :
Remember that the Methanol is highly toxic if inhaled or ingested and may even lead to death. It causes retinal damage leading to terminal blindness. Inhaled fumes of Methanol may lead to coughing and/or headache.