Oxygenates Oxygenates are compounds such as alcohols and ethers which contain oxygen in their molecular structure. Oxygenates improve combustion efficiency, thereby reducing polluting emissions. Many oxygenates also serve as excellent octane enhancers when blended with gasoline.
Methanol is an alcohol made from natural gas, biomass or coal.
When methanol is blended with gasoline, a co-solvent such as ethanol is required. Methanol is quite corrosive and poisonous. Methanol is produced primarily as a derivative of natural gas. MTBE has been found in groundwater in the U.S., and is the cause of significant public concern. ETBE is manufactured from ethanol and isobutylene.