Why is methanol written as ch3oh instead of ch4o?
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Methanol contains one carbon atom. Ethanol contains two carbon atoms, and so it has more of a chain structure than methanol does. The formula CH3OH better describes the structure of the methanol molecule. From the formula CH4O, you can't tell how the oxygen atom is involved in bonding without con- structing a model.
Simply so, should ch3oh be considered a hydroxide or an alcohol?
alcohols are weak acids. By using the name “Methyl Hydroxide” you're subtly implying that methanol could be a base- the conjugate acid being “CH3+”. Methyl alcohol is a weak acid- it likes to lose the proton attached to the oxygen, at least a little bit, when in solution. Methyl alcohol's conjugate base is CH3O-[1] .
In respect to this, is methanol the same as methyl alcohol?
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol amongst other names, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group, often abbreviated MeOH). A polar solvent, methanol acquired the name wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly by the destructive distillation of wood.
CH3OH