Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What industrial products are made from methanol?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
alcohol
The answer involves lighting liquid on fire.
Methanol is a versatile industrial chemical used as a building block for a wide array of products. Approximately half of all methanol production is dedicated to manufacturing formaldehyde, which is subsequently used to create synthetic resins and various other compounds.12
Other significant industrial applications and products include:
- Chemical Derivatives: Methanol is used to produce methyl chloride, which serves as a solvent for inks and dyes, and dimethylaniline, used in the production of synthetic dyestuffs.12
- Materials: It is a key component in the production of various plastics.1
- Pharmaceuticals: It is utilized in the purification of hormonal and steroidal medicines.1
- Consumer and Industrial Goods: Methanol is used in the formulation of automotive antifreezes and as a general industrial solvent.23
- Energy: It serves as a high-octane fuel for automotive engines and is used in rocket fuels.23
- Denaturant: It is used to render industrial ethyl alcohol unfit for human consumption.2
It is important to note that methanol is highly toxic; ingestion or inhalation can lead to severe health consequences, including blindness or death.23