how to test for methanol?

real

any simple test to test for the present of methanol?

movies

Do you have access to NMR or GC? Those would definitely be the fastest methods.

scorpa

Are you testing for the presence of methanol in a solution of different compounds or are you testing to see whether a pure sample is methanol or not? If you have a solution of different compounds, assuming they have boiling points that are fairly different you could do a simple distillation, you know the temperature at which methanol boils so if something boils off at that temperature you could assume its methanol and then do a comparative TLC to be sure, or an IR. If you have a pure sample you could do again do a simple co-TLC, or you could do an IR spectra of it.....ect.

ShawnD

Add something like potassium permanganate (condy's crystals) or potassium dichromate. If it makes a horrible smell, it's probably methanol.

real

i am carrying one experiment on the decomposition of sweetener-Aspartame under acidic condition which will give out methanol
is it easy to test for the present of methanol there by adding potassium permanganate?

Monique

do tell us the results! I'd suggest a GC if you have access to one, as a control spike a sample of your solution with some methanol.

real

but in my school lab, we don't have a GC or NMR. is there other simple test for present of methanol?

Mattara

I am actually doing that same experiment in school. Try and oxidising it useing pottasium dichromate. This way you should be able to confirm methanol

Jeckel

My question is on Methonal too

I am trying to figure out a way to tell if there is any contaminates in the Methonal I am currently using? How can I test to make sure I have 100% Methanol?

Also how can I test to make sure I have only Methanol and Di Water and nothing else?

thanks

BODBOD

I am testing for the absence of all alcohols (mainly methanol, butanol and propanol) within a compound with the exeption of ethanol. Have you any advice?

Cesium

What other types of compounds are in your solution? Potassium permanganate or potassium dichromate can be used to oxidize alcohols to their carboxylic acids which can be identified by their foul smells. The problem is that you will also oxidize other organic compounds like aldehydes, alkenes, etc.

3trQN

Did you try using your nose? Its the simplest test i can think of :P

tekvadr

I want a quick test for the presence of methanol as a contaminate. But since my solution is an experimental ferment, and may also contain ethanol and aldehydes, I assume the suggested use of potassium permanganate or dichromate would not work to show the presence of methanol as an impurity (because ethanol and aldehydes would give similar [false-positive] odors). Correct?

I don't have access to the lab equipment, and I have briefly checked around the winemaking suppliers and have found no quick test procedures or strips, even though methanol is a problem impurity in homemade wine. Along the way, I found this good group and hope for some suggestions; maybe, if all fails, the contact information for an analytical lab that would test a sample?

thanks

mark

lapo3399

This sounds scary. Methanol is toxic, and acidic conditions can create methanol from aspartame? I hope you mean organic acids, because if you mean HCl, then a lot of people should be dying from drinking diet soft drinks ;).

BNC992

Another question about methanol ----->

Where could I take a sample of a "drinking alcohol" to be tested for methanol contamination?

chemisttree

Where (in the world) are you? In the Yellow Pages look under 'Laboratories-Testing'. Call the labs with the biggest ads first. The smaller guys (with no GC equipment) will outsource your job to the big guys and mark up the price. It may cost you about $100 for the test. About the same price as a VERY excellent bottle of 18 yr old imported scotch. And there will be no methanol there my friend!

Sometimes methanol is added to ethanol to 'denature' it. This renders the drinking alcohol useless (or dangerous) for consumption and so this form of alcohol is not taxed as is most drinking alcohols. It cannot be economically rendered safe to drink. That is the point of adding methanol to drinking alcohol. Better to use the money you will spend on the test(s) to buy a legal bottle (if you are old enough).