Methanol (CH3OH) is the simplest saturated monohydric alcohol with a CAS number of 67-56-1 or 170082-17-4, a molecular weight of 32.04, and a boiling point of 64.7°C. Because it was first discovered in retorted wood, it is also known as "lignin" or "wood spirit". The minimum dose of oral poisoning in humans is about 100 mg/kg body weight. Oral intake of 0.3 to 1 g/kg can be fatal. Used in the manufacture of formaldehyde, pesticides, etc., and as an extractant for organic matter and a denaturant for alcohol. The finished product is usually made by the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
One of the basic organic raw materials used in the manufacture of various organic products such as methyl chloride, methylamine and dimethyl sulfate. It is also one of the raw materials for pesticides (insecticides, acaricides), medicines (sulfonamides, synthromycin, etc.), and for the synthesis of dimethyl terephthalate, methyl methacrylate, and methyl acrylate. The main application area of methanol is the production of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can be used to produce adhesives, mainly used in the wood processing industry, followed by processing agents for molding compounds, coatings, textiles and paper. Another major use of methanol is to produce acetic acid. Acetic acid consumption accounts for about 7% of global methanol demand. It can produce vinyl acetate, cellulose acetate, and acetate. Its demand is closely related to the needs of coatings, adhesives, and textiles.