Substance profile
Methanol
Methanol is a colorless liquid with a slight alcoholic odor when pure; repulsive, pungent odor when crude.
01 · Identification
What Methanol is
Methanol is a colorless liquid with a slight alcoholic odor when pure; repulsive, pungent odor when crude. Its molecular formula is CH4O and its molecular weight is 32.042 g/mol. It boils at 64.7 °C, melts at -97.8 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Methanol
- methyl alcohol
- wood alcohol
- CH3OH
- Carbinol
- Colonial Spirit
- Columbian Spirit
- Columbian Spirits
- Methanol Cluster
- Methyl Hydroxide
- Methylol
- Monohydroxymethane
- Pyroligneous Spirit
- Pyroxylic Spirit
- Solutions, Bieleski'S
- Wood Naphtha
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H370 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P308, P310, P311, P330, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Methanol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 64.7 °C (148.5 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 63.89 °C (147 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 64.61 °C (148.3 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -97.8 °C (-144 °F) | HSDB | |
| -97.78 °C (-144 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.79 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.792 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, ether, benzene, most organic solvents and ketones | HSDB | |
| Miscible with water at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Miscible with water at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 140.262 mmHg | HSDB | |
| 92 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 127 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) | from table | HSDB | |
| 11.11 °C (52 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 463.89 °C (867 °F) | HSDB | |
| 440 °C (824 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 36 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 36.5 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 1.11 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.1 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | The air odor threshold for methanol has been reported as 100 ppm. A level of 2,000 ppm ... is barely detectable. | HSDB | |
| Low threshold= 13.1150 mg/cu m; High threshold= 26840 mg/cu m; Irritating concn= 22875 mg/cu m. | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 4.2 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 240 °C (464 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Methanol
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, oxidizing agents, alkali metals, reducing agents, acids.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
METHANOL, TALLOW ALKYL IMINOBISETHANOL is a mixture of an alcohol with an organic compound containing both amine and alcohol substituents. Amines are chemical bases. They neutralize acids to form salts plus water. These acid-base reactions are exothermic. The amount of heat that is evolved per mole of amine in a neutralization is largely independent of the strength of the amine as a base. Amines may be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated by amines in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Methanol in the storage compatibility matrix →
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