Safety data for methyl alcohol

Click here for data on methyl alcohol in student-friendly format, from the HSci project

Glossary of terms on this data sheet.

The information on this web page is provided to help you to work safely, but it is intended to be an overview of hazards, not a replacement for a full Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS forms can be downloaded from the web sites of many chemical suppliers.

General

Synonyms: methanol, carbinol, colonial spirit, columbian spirit, methylol, methyl hydrate, wood alcohol, wood naphtha, wood spirit, methyl hydroxide, pyroxylic spirit, RCRA waste number U154, meths
Molecular formula: CH₃OH
CAS No: 67-56-1
EC No: 200-659-6
Annex I Index No: 603-001-00-X

Physical data

Appearance: colourless liquid with a characteristic odour
Melting point: -98 C
Boiling point: 64.7 C
Vapour density: 1.1
Vapour pressure: 97.7 mm at 20 C
Specific gravity: 0.791
Flash point: 11 C
Explosion limits: 6% - 36 %
Autoignition temperature: 464 C

Stability

Stable. May react violently with acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, oxidizing agents, reducing agents and alkali metals. Protect from moisture. Highly flammable.

Toxicology

Toxic by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. May be a reproductive hazard. Ingestion may be fatal. Risk of very serious, irreversible damage if swallowed. Exposure may cause eye, kidney, heart and liver damage. Chronic or substantial acute exposure may cause serious eye damage, including blindness. Irritant. Narcotic. UK exposure limits: long-term 200 ppm, short term 250 ppm.

Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
ORL-HMN LDLO 428 mg kg^-1
ORL-MAN LDLO 6422 mg kg^-1
UNR-MAN LDLO 868 mg kg^-1
ORL-RAT LD50 5628 mg kg^-1
IHL-RAT LC50 83 mg/l.
IPR-RBT LD50 1826 mg kg^-1
IPR-RAT LD50 9540 mg kg^-1
ORL-MUS LD50 7300 mg kg^-1

Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R11 R23 R24 R25 R39.

Transport information

here.)

Personal protection

Safety glasses. Effective ventilation. Within the UK this material must be assessed under the COSHH regulations.

Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S7 S16 S24 S36 S37 S45

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This information was last updated on April 22, 2005. Although we have tried to make it as accurate and useful as possible, we can take no responsibility for its use or misuse, or for the accuracy of the information.

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