Methanol is a colourless liquid, completely miscible with water and organic solvents and is very hydroscopic. Methanol has an agreeable odour, and a burning taste.
Methanol is a potent nerve poison.
The naphtha fraction from the distillation of crude petroleum, is used as a raw material for the manufacture of methanol. When naphtha is reacted with a high steam ratio, under pressure and at high temperature, synthesis gas of low methane content is obtained. Most of the carbon from the naphtha is converted to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide which can be removed from the gaseous mixture to leave hydrogen of high purity. If the oxidising agent is in excess, the formaldehyde is further oxidised to formic acid and then to carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic oxidation of methanol using platinum wire is of interest as it is used in model aircraft engines to replace the sparking plug arrangement of the conventional petrol engine.