Alcohols are organic compounds that contain the hydroxyl group (-OH). Methanol is the simplest alcohol, it is obtained by reducing carbon monoxide with hydrogen.

Methanol is a colorless liquid, its boiling point is 65ºC, miscible with water in all proportions and poisonous (35 ml can kill a person).
Half of the methanol produced is oxidized to methanal (formaldehyde), a starting material for the manufacture of resins and plastics.

Ethanol is obtained by fermentation of vegetable matter, obtaining a maximum concentration of 15% in ethanol. By distillation this concentration can be increased up to 98%.
Ethanol can also be obtained by hydration of ethylene (ethene) which is obtained from petroleum.



Ethanol is a colorless liquid, miscible with water in all proportions, with a boiling point of 78ºC. It is easily metabolized by our organisms, although its abuse causes alcoholism.