Methanol is the simplest alcohol, composed of a hydroxyl group bonded to a methyl group. It is a colorless, flammable, volatile, polar solvent used for industrial applications such as ethanol denaturing and the production of biodiesel and commodity chemicals.
Methanol is useful in the synthesis of nucleic acids and peptides. It is used as an antifreeze, solvent, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethanol. It is also used for producing biodiesel. It is used for the synthesis of formaldehyde and acetic acid.