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
Methanol vs. Ethanol: An Overview
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Ethanol is the alcohol you drink and methanol is an industrial chemical. Both are clear liquids that smell like alcohol, but methanol is incredibly toxic and can cause severe nerve damage or death if consumed. [1] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Methanol is produced artificially to make things like insecticides, formaldehyde, and antifreeze, while ethanol can be made through fermentation for alcoholic beverages. [2] X Research source
- Ethanol has industrial uses as well and can be found in motor fuel and lots of cosmetic products, like perfumes and lotions. [3] X Research source
Chemical Differences
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Ethanol molecules have 2 carbon atoms and methanol molecules have 1. Ethanol and methanol are both types of alcohol. Chemically, they consist of an ethyl group (C2H6) or methyl group (CH3) bonded to a hydroxyl group (–OH). Ethanol’s extra carbon atom is what makes these chemicals different from each other, even though they share some physical properties. [4] X Research source
- The molecular structure of an ethanol molecule is C2H6O.
- The molecular structure of a methanol molecule is CH3O.
Physical Properties
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1Ethanol and methanol are both clear, colorless liquids. Visually, they’re indistinguishable from each other. This isn’t an issue in carefully controlled laboratory or industrial settings, but has proven to be dangerous when people attempt to make moonshine and accidentally create methanol (which is poisonous) instead of ethanol (which can be safely consumed in moderation in alcoholic beverages). [5] X Research source
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2Ethanol and methanol both smell like alcohol, but methanol is milder. The two chemicals have a sharp, burning type of alcohol smell (imagine the worst sniff of cheap vodka or rubbing alcohol you’ve ever inhaled). However, methanol’s scent is a bit sweeter and more distinct than ethanol. [6] X Research source
- The smell is not a good indicator of how concentrated the vapors of either liquid are. A diluted solution will smell nearly as strong as a more robust one.
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3Ethanol burns blue and methanol burns white. Both chemicals are highly volatile and flammable, but they burn differently because of their molecular structures. Ethanol burns a bright blue flame, while methanol burns bright white or nearly invisible. [7] X Research source
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4Methanol has a lower boiling point at sea level than ethanol. Pure methanol boils at 148.5 °F (64.7 °C) while ethanol boils at 173.1 °F (78.4 °C). This is because methanol’s molecular weight is lower than ethanol’s (this is why it evaporates faster, too). [8] X Research source
Production
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1Ethanol is produced through fermentation, but can be synthesized, too. Humans began fermenting fruit juices to make alcoholic beverages in prehistoric times, and the process continues today. Simple alcohol fermentation occurs when fruit juices or grains (like corn, wheat, rye, or barely) are mixed with yeast or other bacteria to break natural sugars down into ethyl alcohol. Ethanol is known as “grain alcohol” because of these fermented grains. [9] X Research source
- Today, ethanol is industrially synthesized en masse for fuel, cleaning products, and other solutions.
- Alcoholic beverages, like wine or vodka, are still made by fermenting fruit and grains with yeast (although the process is helped along by modern machinery).
- You can even ferment ethanol at home to make a DIY fuel (with the proper permits).
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2Methanol is almost exclusively synthesized in labs or factories. Historically, methanol was created when the cellulose in wood and some other plants fermented (it’s sometimes called “wood alcohol”). Since methanol is toxic and only used for industrial purposes, it’s now only made by a much faster, artificial process. [10] X Research source
- Methanol is made by exposing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen to a copper catalyst that forces them to combine into methanol molecules.
Effects on the Body
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1Ethanol is safe to drink in moderation and is what makes you feel drunk. When consumed in alcoholic beverages, ethanol causes slower reaction times, uncoordinated movements, slurred speech, and uninhibited feelings. Of course, over drinking can lead to blurred vision, confusion, and vomiting, or in severe cases, trouble breathing, a slowed heart rate, brain damage, or even death. [11] X Research source
- You’re unlikely to encounter lethal doses of ethanol accidentally unless you work in a lab or chemical plant that mass produces it.
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2Methanol is highly toxic and should never be consumed. Besides drinking it, methanol can also be absorbed through your eyes, skin, or lungs if you inhale its fumes. The level of harm depends on the dose and duration of exposure. Mild exposure can lead to drunkenness, headaches, weakness, or loss of consciousness, while more severe amounts can lead to blindness or other nerve damage. Overexposure can cause death. [12] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- You probably won’t encounter fatal doses of methanol unless you work in plastic manufacturing, vehicle deicing, or the fuel industry.
Industrial Uses
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1Ethanol is found in cosmetics, perfumes, fuels, and other materials. Outside of your favorite happy hour beverage, ethanol is used in a huge variety of products. It’s a common ingredient in colognes, lotions, mouthwash, and soaps, as well as less friendly compounds like dyes, inks, adhesives, preservatives, pesticides, plastics, and rubber. [13] X Research source
- Ethanol is increasingly popular in fuels like gasoline. It’s technically a renewable resource since it’s made from biomass plant materials. [14] X Research source
- Ethanol is also popular as an industrial solvent that can dissolve fats, oils, waxes, resins, and hydrocarbons.
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2Methanol is used in fuel, pharmaceuticals, and as an industrial solvent. It’s used to create harsh chemicals like insecticides, formaldehyde, acetic acid, chloromethanes, antifreeze, paint strippers, and spray paint, but is also found in helpful substances like antibiotics, vitamins, and hormones. You’ll never find it in an alcoholic beverage or any non-prescription product meant for consumption. [15] X Research source
How can you distinguish the difference?
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Perform an iodoform test to identify ethanol from methanol. Over a sink, add 10 drops of methanol and 10 drops of ethanol into separate test tubes. Then, add 25 drops of iodine and 10 drops of sodium hydroxide to each tube. Gently swirl each tube several times (the color of the iodine will start to fade). Check for an emerging difference in color after about 2 minutes. [17] X Research source
- The ethanol tube will turn cloudy, and then a yellow substance called triiodomethane (iodoform) will form. The full formation takes about 20 minutes.
- The methanol tube will remain clear since it does not react to the iodine or sodium hydroxide.
- Wear gloves and goggles to stay safe during the experiment. Methanol and sodium hydroxide are dangerous if they get in your eyes or on your skin.
- Unless you’re a professional chemist, only perform this experiment under the supervision of an instructor.
Expert Q&A
Tips
Warnings
- Methanol is highly toxic and should never be consumed, inhaled, or come into contact with your eyes or skin. [18] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/methyl-alcohol/default.html
- ↑ 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.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/methyl-alcohol/default.html
- ↑ 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
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/methyl-alcohol/default.html