Ethanol vs. Methanol
Main DifferenceThe main difference between ethanol and methanol is that ethanol stands for ethyl alcohol which means the carbon skeleton is made of two carbon atoms, whereas methanol stands for methyl alcohol means the carbon skeleton is made of one carbon atom only.
Difference Between Ethanol and Methanol
Ethanol vs. Methanol
Ethanol is the alcohol with an ethyl group having two carbon atoms in the carbon skeleton, whereas methanol is the alcohol with a methyl group having only one carbon atom in the carbon skeleton.
Ethanol vs. Methanol
Ethanol is a much weaker acid than water while methanol has acidity level slightly higher than that of water.
Ethanol vs. Methanol
As ethanol is the alcohol, so found in beverages; on the other hand, methanol is alcoholic but highly toxic and not suitable for consumption.
Ethanol vs. Methanol
Ethanol is generally produced by the method of fermentation of sugars by yeast; on the contrary, methanol is typically produced synthetically through catalysis from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen.
Ethanol vs. Methanol
Ethanol can cause sleepiness and tiredness which get naturally balanced off by the natural body immune system; conversely, methanol can cause blindness even an amount less than half a teaspoon.
Ethanol vs. Methanol
Ethanol use as a vehicle fuel for internal-combustion engines, whereas methanol, served mainly as a subject of research and used as a motor fuel.
Ethanol vs. Methanol
Ethanol is a colorless liquid and extremely volatile with a burning, strong odor; on the flip side, methanol is also colorless and extremely volatile with a distinctive odor.
Ethanol vs. Methanol
Ethanol burns as a bright blue flame while methanol burns as a bright white flame.
Ethanolnoun
(organic compound) A simple aliphatic alcohol formally derived from ethane by replacing one hydrogen atom with a hydroxyl group: CH3-CH2-OH.
Methanolnoun
(organic compound) The simplest aliphatic alcohol, CH3OH; a colourless, toxic, inflammable liquid, used as a solvent, antifreeze, in the chemical industry, and in the preparation of methylated spirit.
Ethanolnoun
Specifically, this alcohol as a fuel.
Methanolnoun
a light volatile flammable poisonous liquid alcohol; used as an antifreeze and solvent and fuel and as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol
Ethanolnoun
the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors; used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions and rocket fuel; proposed as a renewable clean-burning additive to gasoline
Comparison Chart
| Ethanol | Methanol |
| Ethanol is the alcohol with an ethyl group having two carbon atoms in the carbon skeleton. | Methanol is the alcohol with a methyl group having only one carbon atom in the carbon skeleton. |
| Acidity | |
| Weaker acid than water | Acidity level slightly higher than that of water |
| Alcoholic Beverages | |
| It is the alcohol found in beverages | Alcoholic but highly toxic and not suitable for consumption |
| Mode of Production | |
| Produces by the method of fermentation of sugars by yeast | Produced synthetically through catalysis from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen |
| Toxicity | |
| Can cause sleepiness and tiredness which get naturally balanced off by the natural body immune system | Able to cause blindness even an amount less than half a teaspoon |
| Uses | |
| As vehicle fuel for internal-combustion engines | Serves mainly as a subject of research and used as a motor fuel |
| Physical Appearance | |
| A colorless liquid and extremely volatile with a burning, strong odor | Also colorless and extremely volatile with a distinctive odor |
| Flame Color | |
| Bright blue flame | Bright white flame |
Ethanol vs. Methanol
Ethanol is the alcohol with an ethyl group having two carbon atoms in the carbon skeleton, whereas methanol is the alcohol with a methyl group having only one carbon atom in the carbon skeleton. Ethanol is a much weaker acid than water while methanol has acidity level slightly higher than that of water. As ethanol is the alcohol, so found in beverages; on the other hand, methanol is alcoholic but highly toxic and not suitable for consumption. Ethanol is generally produced by the method of fermentation of sugars by yeast; on the contrary, methanol is typically produced synthetically through catalysis from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen. Ethanol can cause sleepiness and tiredness which get naturally balanced off by the natural body immune system; conversely, methanol can cause blindness even an amount less than half a teaspoon. Ethanol use as a vehicle fuel for internal-combustion engines, whereas methanol, served mainly as a subject of research and used as a motor fuel. Ethanol is a colorless liquid and extremely volatile with a burning, strong odor; on the flip side, methanol is also colorless and extremely volatile with a distinctive odor. Ethanol burns as a bright blue flame while methanol burns as a bright white flame.
What is Ethanol?
Ethanol is the alcohol with an ethyl group having two carbon atoms in the carbon skeleton. Chemically ethanol is made by the linking of an ethyl group to a hydroxide group and therefore, forming a chemical formula CH3CH2OH. Ethanol is highly flammable and volatile. Ethanol completely mixes with water due to the formation of hydrogen bonds. Similarly, ethanol can combine with other alcohols as well. Also, ethanol is colorless liquid with a burning, strong chemical odor. Ethanol also acts as a weak acid apart from are other numerous reactions with other organic solvents. However, ethanol is a much weaker acid than water. In alcohol beverages, ethanol is the principal alcohol found in them produced by fermentation of sugars by yeast. Ethanol is used for mainly industrial purposes such as medicinal solvent, an antiseptic, for household heating, etc. Ethanol can cause sleepiness and tiredness which get naturally balanced off by the natural body immune system.
What is Methanol?
Methanol is the alcohol with a methyl group having only one carbon atom in the carbon skeleton. Chemically methanol is made by the linking of a methyl group to a hydroxide group forming a chemical formula CH3OH. Methanol is also known as ‘wood alcohol’ as it was once produced as a by-product through the distillation of woods. But today methanol is typically produced synthetically through catalysis from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen. Methanol is highly flammable volatile and is the simplest alcohol found in the chemistry. Comparing with ethanol, it has a high acidity level slightly higher than that of water. Methanol is also colorless and extremely volatile with a distinctive odor. Methanol can form bonds with hydrogen in water and also with other alcohols making it possible to mix well with them. Methanol is highly toxic and able to cause blindness even an amount less than half a teaspoon. Methanol served mainly as a subject of research and used as a motor fuel. It is also the main solvent in a laboratory.
ConclusionAbove discussion concludes that ethanol stands for ethyl alcohol, which means the carbon skeleton is made of two carbon atoms, whereas methanol stands for methyl alcohol means the carbon skeleton is made of one carbon atom only.
