Question

Methylated spirit is:
a.) 100 % alcohol
b.) 96.6 % alcohol $+$ 4.4 % water
c.) 90 % alcohol $+$ 9 % methanol $+$ pyridine
d.) Power alcohol

Answer 1

Hint: The alcohol groups are those that in a compound there is at least one hydroxyl group attached. The hydroxyl group is the basic functional group of the compound. The alcohols groups are divided into three types on the basis of the total number of alkyl groups which are connected to the carbon connected to the hydroxyl group.

Complete step by step answer:
- Methylated spirit is also known as denatured alcohol or wood spirit or also known as denatured rectified spirit. Methylated spirit contains 90 % alcohol $+$ 9 % methanol$+$ pyridine. The additives which are present in methanol makes it poisonous and dangerous. This denatured alcohol is made for industrial purposes or non-drinking uses.
- Methylated spirit is also used as a fuel for the burners and it is also used as a solvent.
The correct option is option “C” .

Additional Information .
- The simplest primary alcohol is $C{{H}_{3}}OH$ i.e. methanol, the simplest secondary alcohol is 2-propanol and the simplest tertiary alcohol is 2-methylpropan-2-ol.
- The simplest method to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols is to determine how many carbon atoms are attached to the carbon atom which has the hydroxide group.
- In a primary alcohol only one carbon is attached to the carbon which bears the hydroxide group, in secondary alcohol two carbons are attached to the carbon which bears the hydroxide group and similarly, in tertiary alcohol three carbons are attached to the carbon which bears the hydroxide group.

Note: Many chemicals tests are also used to distinguish between the primary alcohol, secondary alcohol and tertiary alcohol. A chemical test called Lucas test is also used for the same purpose.