Methyl Alcohol

• Formula: CH₄O
• Molecular weight: 32.0419
• IUPAC Standard InChI: InChI=1S/CH4O/c1-2/h2H,1H3 Copy

  
• IUPAC Standard InChIKey: OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copy
• CAS Registry Number: 67-56-1
• Chemical structure:
  This structure is also available as a 2d Mol file or as a computed 3d SD file
  The 3d structure may be viewed using Java or Javascript.
• Isotopologues:
  • Methan-d3-ol
  • Methanol-o-d1
  • Methanol-D4
• Other names: Methanol; Carbinol; Methyl hydroxide; Methylol; Monohydroxymethane; Wood alcohol; CH3OH; Colonial spirit; Columbian spirit; Hydroxymethane; Wood naphtha; Alcool methylique; Alcool metilico; Columbian spirits; Metanolo; Methylalkohol; Metylowy alkohol; Pyroxylic spirit; Wood spirit; Rcra waste number U154; UN 1230; Pyro alcohol; Spirit of wood; Bieleski's solution; NSC 85232
• Permanent link for this species. Use this link for bookmarking this species for future reference.
• Information on this page:
  • Phase change data
  • Gas phase ion energetics data
  • Mass spectrum (electron ionization)
  • References
  • Notes
• Other data available:
  • Gas phase thermochemistry data
  • Condensed phase thermochemistry data
  • Reaction thermochemistry data: reactions 1 to 50, reactions 51 to 100, reactions 101 to 150, reactions 151 to 200, reactions 201 to 250, reactions 251 to 300
  • Henry's Law data
  • Ion clustering data
  • IR Spectrum
  • Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels
  • Gas Chromatography
  • Fluid Properties
• Data at other public NIST sites:
  • Gas Phase Kinetics Database
• Options:
  • Switch to calorie-based units

Data at NIST subscription sites:

• NIST / TRC Web Thermo Tables, "lite" edition (thermophysical and thermochemical data)
• NIST / TRC Web Thermo Tables, professional edition (thermophysical and thermochemical data)

NIST subscription sites provide data under the NIST Standard Reference Data Program, but require an annual fee to access. The purpose of the fee is to recover costs associated with the development of data collections included in such sites. Your institution may already be a subscriber. Follow the links above to find out more about the data in these sites and their terms of usage.

Phase change data

Go To: Top, Gas phase ion energetics data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
TRC - Thermodynamics Research Center, NIST Boulder Laboratories, Chris Muzny director
DH - Eugene S. Domalski and Elizabeth D. Hearing
AC - William E. Acree, Jr., James S. Chickos
ALS - Hussein Y. Afeefy, Joel F. Liebman, and Stephen E. Stein
DRB - Donald R. Burgess, Jr.
CAL - James S. Chickos, William E. Acree, Jr., Joel F. Liebman, Students of Chem 202 (Introduction to the Literature of Chemistry), University of Missouri -- St. Louis

Enthalpy of vaporization

Enthalpy of vaporization

Δ_vapH = A exp(-αT_r) (1 − T_r)^β
    Δ_vapH = Enthalpy of vaporization (at saturation pressure) (kJ/mol)
    T_r = reduced temperature (T / T_c)

View plot Requires a JavaScript / HTML 5 canvas capable browser.

Antoine Equation Parameters

log₁₀(P) = A − (B / (T + C))
    P = vapor pressure (bar)
    T = temperature (K)

View plot Requires a JavaScript / HTML 5 canvas capable browser.

Enthalpy of fusion

Entropy of fusion

Entropy of fusion

Enthalpy of phase transition

Entropy of phase transition

Gas phase ion energetics data

Go To: Top, Phase change data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data evaluated as indicated in comments:
HL - Edward P. Hunter and Sharon G. Lias
L - Sharon G. Lias

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
B - John E. Bartmess
LL - Sharon G. Lias and Joel F. Liebman
LBLHLM - Sharon G. Lias, John E. Bartmess, Joel F. Liebman, John L. Holmes, Rhoda D. Levin, and W. Gary Mallard
LLK - Sharon G. Lias, Rhoda D. Levin, and Sherif A. Kafafi
RDSH - Henry M. Rosenstock, Keith Draxl, Bruce W. Steiner, and John T. Herron

View reactions leading to CH₄O⁺ (ion structure unspecified)

Ionization energy determinations

Appearance energy determinations

De-protonation reactions

CH₃O^- +  =

By formula: CH₃O^- + H⁺ = CH₄O

Mass spectrum (electron ionization)

Go To: Top, Phase change data, Gas phase ion energetics data, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled by: NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center, William E. Wallace, director

Spectrum

Notice: This spectrum may be better viewed with a Javascript and HTML 5 enabled browser.

For Zoom

1.) Enter the desired X axis range (e.g., 100, 200)

2.) Check here for automatic Y scaling

3.) Press here to zoom

Additional Data

References

Go To: Top, Phase change data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Gude and Teja, 1995
Gude, M.; Teja, A.S., Vapor-Liquid Critical Properties of Elements and Compounds. 4. Aliphatic Alkanols, J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1995, 40, 1025-1036. [all data]

Craven and de Reuck, 1986
Craven, R.J.B.; de Reuck, K.M., Ideal-Gas and Saturation Properties of Methanol, Int. J. Thermophys., 1986, 7, 541. [all data]

Francesconi, Lentz, et al., 1981
Francesconi, A.Z.; Lentz, H.; Franck, E.U., Phase Equilibriums and PVT Data for the Methane-Methanol System to 300 MPa and 240 degree C, J. Phys. Chem., 1981, 85, 3303. [all data]

Zubarev and Bagdonas, 1969
Zubarev, V.N.; Bagdonas, A., Saturation Curve Properties and Specific Volumes of Methanol, Teploenergetika (Moscow), 1969, 16, 88-91. [all data]

Majer and Svoboda, 1985
Majer, V.; Svoboda, V., Enthalpies of Vaporization of Organic Compounds: A Critical Review and Data Compilation, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1985, 300. [all data]

Stephenson and Malanowski, 1987
Stephenson, Richard M.; Malanowski, Stanislaw, Handbook of the Thermodynamics of Organic Compounds, 1987, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3173-2 . [all data]

Yerlett and Wormald, 1986
Yerlett, T.K.; Wormald, C.J., The enthalpy of methanol, The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, 1986, 18, 8, 719-726, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9614(86)90105-9 . [all data]

Cervenkova and Boublik, 1984
Cervenkova, Irena; Boublik, Tomas, Vapor pressure, refractive indexes and densities at 20.0.degree.C, and vapor-liquid equilibrium at 101.325 kPa in the tert-amyl methyl ether-methanol system, J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1984, 29, 4, 425-427, https://doi.org/10.1021/je00038a017 . [all data]

Gibbard and Creek, 1974
Gibbard, H. Frank; Creek, Jefferson L., Vapor pressure of methanol from 288.15 to 337.65.deg.K, J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1974, 19, 4, 308-310, https://doi.org/10.1021/je60063a013 . [all data]

Boublik, Fried, et al., 1984
Boublik, T.; Fried, V.; Hala, E., The Vapour Pressures of Pure Substances: Selected Values of the Temperature Dependence of the Vapour Pressures of Some Pure Substances in the Normal and Low Pressure Region, 2nd ed., Elsevier, New York, 1984, 972. [all data]

Counsell and Lee, 1973
Counsell, J.F.; Lee, D.A., Thermodynamic properties of organic oxygen compounds 31. Vapour heat capacity and enthalpy of vaporization of methanol, The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, 1973, 5, 4, 583-589, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9614(73)80107-7 . [all data]

Svoboda, Veselý, et al., 1973
Svoboda, V.; Veselý, F.; Holub, R.; Pick, J., Enthalpy data of liquids. II. The dependence of heats of vaporization of methanol, propanol, butanol, cyclohexane, cyclohexene, and benzene on temperature, Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun., 1973, 38, 12, 3539-3543, https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc19733539 . [all data]

Wilhoit and Zwolinski, 1973
Wilhoit, R.C.; Zwolinski, B.J., Physical and thermodynamic properties of aliphatic alcohols, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data Suppl., 1973, 1, 2, 1. [all data]

Boublík and Aim, 1972
Boublík, T.; Aim, K., Heats of vaporization of simple non-spherical molecule compounds, Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun., 1972, 37, 11, 3513-3521, https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc19723513 . [all data]

Ambrose and Sprake, 1970
Ambrose, D.; Sprake, C.H.S., Thermodynamic properties of organic oxygen compounds XXV. Vapour pressures and normal boiling temperatures of aliphatic alcohols, The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, 1970, 2, 5, 631-645, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9614(70)90038-8 . [all data]

Hirata, Suda, et al., 1967
Hirata, Mitsuho; Suda, Seijiro; Onodera, Yutaka, Vapor Pressure of Methanol in High Pressure Regions, Chemical engineering, 1967, 31, 4, 339-342,a1, https://doi.org/10.1252/kakoronbunshu1953.31.339 . [all data]

Klyueva, Mischenko, et al., 1960
Klyueva, M.L.; Mischenko, K.P.; Fedorov, M.K., Zh. Prikl. Khim. (S.-Peterburg), 1960, 3, 473. [all data]

Ambrose, Sprake, et al., 1975
Ambrose, D.; Sprake, C.H.S.; Townsend, R., Thermodynamic Properties of Organic Oxygen Compounds. XXXVII. Vapour Pressures of Methanol, Ethanol, Pentan-1-ol, and Octan-1-ol from the Normal Boiling Temperature to the Critical Temperature, J. Chem. Thermodyn., 1975, 7, 2, 185-190, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9614(75)90267-0 . [all data]

Hirata and Suda, 1967
Hirata, M.; Suda, S., Vapor Pressure on Methanol in High Pressure Regions, Kagaku Kogaku, 1967, 31, 4, 339-342, https://doi.org/10.1252/kakoronbunshu1953.31.339 . [all data]

Domalski and Hearing, 1996
Domalski, Eugene S.; Hearing, Elizabeth D., Heat Capacities and Entropies of Organic Compounds in the Condensed Phase. Volume III, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1996, 25, 1, 1, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.555985 . [all data]

Maass and Walbauer, 1925
Maass, O.; Walbauer, L.J., The specific heats and latent heats of fusion of ice and of several organic compounds, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1925, 47, 1-9. [all data]

Carlson and Westrum, 1971
Carlson, H.G.; Westrum, E.F., Jr., Methanol: heat capacity, enthalpies of transition and melting, and thermodynamic properties from 5-300K, J. Chem. Phys., 1971, 54, 1464-1471. [all data]

Sugisaki, Suga, et al., 1968
Sugisaki, M.; Suga, H.; Seki, S., Calorimetric study of the glassy state. III. Novel type calorimeter for study of glassy state and heat capacity of glassy methanol, Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan, 1968, 41, 2586-2591. [all data]

Staveley and Gupta, 1949
Staveley, L.A.K.; Gupta, A.K., A semi-micro low-temperature calorimeter, and a comparison of some thermodynamic properties of methyl alcohol and methyl deuteroxide, Trans. Faraday Soc., 1949, 45, 50-61. [all data]

Kelley, 1929
Kelley, K.K., The heat capacity of methyl alcohol from 16K to 298K and the corresponding entropy and free energy, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1929, 51, 180-187. [all data]

Parks, 1925
Parks, G.S., Thermal data on organic compounds I. The heat capacities and free energies of methyl, ethyl and normal-butyl alcohols, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1925, 47, 338-345. [all data]

Hunter and Lias, 1998
Hunter, E.P.; Lias, S.G., Evaluated Gas Phase Basicities and Proton Affinities of Molecules: An Update, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1998, 27, 3, 413-656, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.556018 . [all data]

Tao, Klemm, et al., 1992
Tao, W.; Klemm, R.B.; Nesbitt, F.L.; Stief, J.L., A discharge flow-photoionization mass spectrometric study of hydroxymethyl radicals (H₂COH and H₂COD): Photoionization spectrum and ionization energy, J. Phys. Chem., 1992, 96, 104. [all data]

Holmes and Lossing, 1991
Holmes, J.L.; Lossing, F.P., Ionization energies of homologous organic compounds and correlation with molecular size, Org. Mass Spectrom., 1991, 26, 537. [all data]

Bowen and Maccoll, 1984
Bowen, R.D.; Maccoll, A., Low energy, low temperature mass spectra, Org. Mass Spectrom., 1984, 19, 379. [all data]

Mishchanchuk, Pokrovskii, et al., 1982
Mishchanchuk, B.G.; Pokrovskii, V.A.; Shabel'nikov, V.P.; Korol, E.N., Mass spectrometric study of energy characteristics of methanol and ethanol ions during ionization by a strong electric field, Teor. Eksp. Khim., 1982, 18, 307. [all data]

Allam, Migahed, et al., 1982
Allam, S.H.; Migahed, M.D.; El-Khodary, A., Electron impact ionization and dissociation of deuterated and non-deuterated methanol, methyl cyanide, nitromethane and nitrobenzene, Egypt. J. Phys., 1982, 13, 167. [all data]

Sahini, Constantin, et al., 1978
Sahini, V.E.; Constantin, V.; Serban, I., Determination of ionization potentials using a MI-1305 mass spectrometer, Rev. Roum. Chim., 1978, 23, 479. [all data]

Berkowitz, 1978
Berkowitz, J., Photoionization of CH₃OH, CD₃OH, and CH₃OD: Dissociative ionization mechanisms and ionic structures, J. Chem. Phys., 1978, 69, 3044. [all data]

MacNeil and Dixon, 1977
MacNeil, K.A.G.; Dixon, R.N., High-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy of methanol and its deuterated derivatives: Internal rotation in the ground ionic state, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1977, 11, 315. [all data]

Finney and Harrison, 1972
Finney, C.D.; Harrison, A.G., A third-derivative method for determining electron-impact onset potentials, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1972, 9, 221. [all data]

Warneck, 1971
Warneck, P., Photoionisation von methanol und formaldehyd, Z. Naturforsch. A:, 1971, 26, 2047. [all data]

Cocksey, Eland, et al., 1971
Cocksey, B.J.; Eland, J.H.D.; Danby, C.J., The effect of alkyl substitution on ionisation potential, J. Chem. Soc., 1971, (B), 790. [all data]

Baker, Betteridge, et al., 1971
Baker, A.D.; Betteridge, D.; Kemp, N.R.; Kirby, R.E., Application of photoelectron spectrometry to pesticide analysis. II.Photoelectron spectra of hydroxy-, and halo-alkanes and halohydrins, Anal. Chem., 1971, 43, 375. [all data]

Omura, Kaneko, et al., 1969
Omura, I.; Kaneko, T.; Yamada, Y.; Tanaka, K., Mass spectrometric studies of photoionization. V. Methanol and methanol-d, J. Phys. Soc. Japan, 1969, 27, 981. [all data]

Lifshitz, Shapiro, et al., 1969
Lifshitz, C.; Shapiro, M.; Sternberg, R., Isotopic effects on metastable transitions. IV. Isotopic methanols, Israel J. Chem., 1969, 7, 391. [all data]

Dewar and Worley, 1969
Dewar, M.J.S.; Worley, S.D., Photoelectron spectra of molecules. I. Ionization potentials of some organic molecules and their interpretation, J. Chem. Phys., 1969, 50, 654. [all data]

Refaey and Chupka, 1968
Refaey, K.M.A.; Chupka, W.A., Photoionization of the lower aliphatic alcohols with mass analysis, J. Chem. Phys., 1968, 48, 5205. [all data]

Cermak, 1968
Cermak, V., Penning ionization electron spectroscopy. I. Determination of ionization potentials of polyatomic molecules, Collection Czech. Chem. Commun., 1968, 33, 2739. [all data]

Al-Joboury and Turner, 1964
Al-Joboury, M.I.; Turner, D.W., Molecular photoelectron spectroscopy. Part II. A summary of ionization potentials, J. Chem. Soc., 1964, 4434. [all data]

Watanabe, 1954
Watanabe, K., Photoionization and total absorption cross section of gases. I. Ionization potentials of several molecules. Cross sections of NH₃ and NO, J. Chem. Phys., 1954, 22, 1564. [all data]

Vorob'ev, Furlei, et al., 1989
Vorob'ev, A.S.; Furlei, I.I.; Sultanov, A.S.; Khvostenko, V.I.; Leplyanin, G.V.; Derzhinskii, A.R.; Tolstikov, G.A., Mass spectrometry of reasonance capture of electrons and photoelectron spectroscopy of molecules of ethylene oxide, ethylene sulfide, and their derivatives, Bull. Acad. Sci. USSR, Div. Chem. Sci., 1989, 1388. [all data]

Von Niessen, Bieri, et al., 1980
Von Niessen, W.; Bieri, G.; Asbrink, L., 30.4 nm He(II) photoelectron spectra of organic molecules. Part III. Oxo-compounds (C,H,O), J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1980, 21, 175. [all data]

Utsunomiya, Kobayashi, et al., 1980
Utsunomiya, C.; Kobayashi, T.; Nagakura, S., Photoelectron angular distribution measurements for some aliphatic alcohols, amines, halides, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1980, 53, 1216. [all data]

Kobayashi, 1978
Kobayashi, T., A simple general tendency in photoelectron angular distributions of some monosubstituted benzenes, Phys. Lett., 1978, 69, 105. [all data]

Benoit and Harrison, 1977
Benoit, F.M.; Harrison, A.G., Predictive value of proton affinity. Ionization energy correlations involving oxygenated molecules, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1977, 99, 3980. [all data]

Peel and Willett, 1975
Peel, J.B.; Willett, G.D., Photoelectron spectroscopic studies of the higher alcohols, Aust. J. Chem., 1975, 28, 2357. [all data]

Robin and Kuebler, 1973
Robin, M.B.; Kuebler, N.A., Excited electronic states of the simple alcohols, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1973, 1, 13. [all data]

Ogata, Onizuka, et al., 1973
Ogata, H.; Onizuka, H.; Nihei, Y.; Kamada, H., The photoelectron spectra of alcohols, mercaptans and amines, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1973, 46, 3036. [all data]

Katsumata, Iwai, et al., 1973
Katsumata, S.; Iwai, T.; Kimura, K., Photoelectron spectra and sum rule consideration. Higher alkyl amines and alcohols, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1973, 46, 3391. [all data]

Ogata, Onizuka, et al., 1972
Ogata, H.; Onizuka, H.; Nihei, Y.; Kamada, H., On the first bands of the photoelectron spectra of amines, alcohols, and mercaptans, Chem. Lett., 1972, 895. [all data]

Reed and Snedden, 1956
Reed, R.I.; Snedden, W., Studies in electron impact methods. Part 6.-The formation of the methine and carbon ions, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans., 1956, 55, 876. [all data]

Haney and Franklin, 1968
Haney, M.A.; Franklin, J.L., Correlation of excess energies of electron-impact dissociations with the translational energies of the products, J.Chem. Phys., 1968, 48, 4093. [all data]

Friedman, Long, et al., 1957
Friedman, L.; Long, F.A.; Wolfsberg, M., Study of the mass spectra of the lower aliphatic alcohols, J. Chem. Phys., 1957, 27, 613. [all data]

Selim and Helal, 1981
Selim, E.T.M.; Helal, A.I., Heat of formation of CH₂=OH⁺ fragment ion, Indian J. Pure Appl. Phys., 1981, 19, 977. [all data]

Lossing, 1977
Lossing, F.P., Heats of formation of some isomeric [C_nH_2n+1]⁺ ions. Substitutional effects on ion stability, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1977, 99, 7526. [all data]

Berkowitz, Ellison, et al., 1994
Berkowitz, J.; Ellison, G.B.; Gutman, D., Three methods to measure RH bond energies, J. Phys. Chem., 1994, 98, 2744. [all data]

Friedland and Strakna, 1956
Friedland, S.S.; Strakna, R.E., Appearance potential studies. I, J. Phys. Chem., 1956, 60, 815. [all data]

Nee, Osterwalder, et al., 2006
Nee, M.J.; Osterwalder, A.; Zhou, J.; Neumark, D.M., Slow electron velocity-map imaging photoelectron spectra of the methoxide anion, J. Chem. Phys., 2006, 125, 1, 014306, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2212411 . [all data]

Osborn, Leahy, et al., 1998
Osborn, D.L.; Leahy, D.J.; Kim, E.H.; deBeer, E.; Neumark, D.M., Photoelectron spectroscopy of CH3O- and CD3O-, Chem. Phys. Lett., 1998, 292, 4-6, 651-655, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2614(98)00717-9 . [all data]

Bartmess, Scott, et al., 1979
Bartmess, J.E.; Scott, J.A.; McIver, R.T., Jr., The gas phase acidity scale from methanol to phenol, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1979, 101, 6047. [all data]

Haas and Harrison, 1993
Haas, M.J.; Harrison, A.G., The Fragmentation of Proton-Bound Cluster Ions and the Gas-Phase Acidities of Alcohols, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Proc., 1993, 124, 2, 115, https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1176(93)80003-W . [all data]

Meot-ner and Sieck, 1986
Meot-ner, M.; Sieck, L.W., Relative acidities of water and methanol, and the stabilities of the dimer adducts, J. Phys. Chem., 1986, 90, 6687. [all data]

Notes

Go To: Top, Phase change data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), References

• Symbols used in this document:
  

  AE	Appearance energy
  IE (evaluated)	Recommended ionization energy
  Pc	Critical pressure
  Tboil	Boiling point
  Tc	Critical temperature
  Tfus	Fusion (melting) point
  Ttriple	Triple point temperature
  Vc	Critical volume
  ΔHtrs	Enthalpy of phase transition
  ΔStrs	Entropy of phase transition
  ΔfusH	Enthalpy of fusion
  ΔfusS	Entropy of fusion
  ΔrG°	Free energy of reaction at standard conditions
  ΔrH°	Enthalpy of reaction at standard conditions
  ΔvapH	Enthalpy of vaporization
  ΔvapH°	Enthalpy of vaporization at standard conditions
  ρc	Critical density

• Data from NIST Standard Reference Database 69: NIST Chemistry WebBook
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses its best efforts to deliver a high quality copy of the Database and to verify that the data contained therein have been selected on the basis of sound scientific judgment. However, NIST makes no warranties to that effect, and NIST shall not be liable for any damage that may result from errors or omissions in the Database.
• Customer support for NIST Standard Reference Data products.