Methanol is also known as wood alcohol, wood naptha, wood spirits, or methyl alcohol. Methanol is a colorless liquid that is highly combustible and volitale if not handled with cauton. Methanol is highly posionous with a extremely disctinc odor that is somewhat milder and sweeter then ethanol.

Methanol at room temperture is a polar liquid that is used as an antifreeze, solvent, an alternative fuel to gasoline for cars, and is also used in the transesterification reaction for biodiesel.

Methanol is produced naturally by the metabolism of many bacteria. AS a result there is always a small fraction of methanol vapor in the atmosphere. Methanol burns in the air forming carbon dioxide and water. When methanol burns the flame is colorless, as you can iamgine this provides further saftey hazards when around open methanol flames.