Methylated Spirit

Methylated Spirit, also known as denatured alcohol, refers to ethanol that has been modified with additives to render it toxic, discouraging its consumption for recreational purposes. Due to the wide range of industrial applications for denatured alcohol, various additives and denaturing methods have been utilized. Historically, the primary additive has been 10% methanol, leading to the term "methylated spirits." Other common additives include isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK).

Synonyms: Denatured alcohol, SDA, Specially denatured alcohol
Chemical Formula: C2H6O
CAS Number: 64-17-5

Characteristics

Molar Weight: 32.04 g/mol

Melting Point: -117.3 °C

Boiling Point: 78.5 °C

Flash Point: 13 °C

Density: 0.810

Forms: Liquid

Uses and Applications

Key applications

Disinfectant
Ink, toner and colourant
Cleaning products
Fuel additive
Pharmaceuticals

Industries

Denatured alcohol

Denatured alcohol, also known colloquially as methylated spirit, is ethanol to which additives have been added. The aim is to deter oral ingestion by changing the odour, taste or appearance.

Often, denatured alcohol is not only unpalatable but also harmful to health. This allows authorities to rule out evasion of the alcohol tax - which does not apply to ethanol used for industrial purposes. As ethanol is used in many different industries, different additives and denaturation methods are common. Common additives include methanol, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK).

Ethanol occurs naturally in plants, for example in carrots, onions and rosemary. It is also produced during the fermentation of sugary fruits. Human blood also contains small amounts of ethanol.

In industry, ethanol is mainly used as a solvent and as a starting material for the production of other compounds. Biofuels are another important area of application.

Denatured alcohol in the chemical industry

In the chemical industry, ethanol is an important solvent and intermediate, for example for the production of ethyl chloride, acetaldehyde and acetic acid. Its esters serve as starting materials for downstream products such as ethyl acrylate, ethyl acetate - a solvent used in adhesives, nail varnishes and for extracting antibiotics, among other things - and glycol ether, which is suitable as a solvent for oils, resins, fats, waxes and varnishes.

Denatured alcohol in the cosmetics industry

Ethanol is highly relevant as a solvent in cosmetic products. For example, it is used as a carrier for fragrances in perfumes, deodorants and fragrance sprays.

Denatured alcohol in the household industry

Ethanol is an effective ingredient in cleaning agents for glass, chrome and plastic. It is also used in stain removers, car windscreen washer solutions and as an antifreeze. In addition, ethanol is used as a fuel for camping cookers under the names methylated spirit or hard spirit.

Denatured alcohol in the energy industry

In the energy industry, bioethanol or agricultural ethanol is used in blends with petrol as a fuel for petrol engines, for example as E5 (5% ethanol) or E85 (85% ethanol). It is produced from fermented sugar, for example from sugar cane and sugar beet, as well as from starch, for example from maize and wheat. In addition to pure ethanol, its derivatives are also used in the fuel sector to increase the octane rating of petrol.

Denatured alcohol in the pharmaceutical industry

Denatured alcohol is used in the pharmaceutical industry in liquid medicines as a solvent and preservative, and in 50 to 80 per cent concentrations as a disinfectant.

High-percentage or pure ethanol is used in cancer therapy to treat thyroid nodules and other tumours such as hepatocellular carcinoma.

Ethanol is also used to treat methanol poisoning. When administered intravenously, it inhibits the conversion of methanol into the toxic methanal. In cases of severe alcohol addiction, ethanol is used to interrupt an alcohol predelirium.

High-percentage ethanol solutions can also be found in commercially available products such as rubbing alcohol, which is used to stimulate blood circulation.

Other applications for denatured alcohol

Denatured alcohol is also used in printing. In biology and human medicine, ethanol-water mixtures are often used to preserve and fix liquid preparations.

Capillary thermometers with blue and red liquid columns use coloured ethanol as the measuring liquid. With sufficiently long tubes, temperatures can be measured from the melting point (-114.5 °C) to near the boiling point (78.32 °C).