METHYL ALCOHOL. 33 



view, especially under the influence of oxidizing agents, 

 is dependent upon their constitution. They are divided 

 into primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols. 



Primary alcohols contain the group CH 2 .OH. Un 

 der the influence of oxidizing agents they are at first 

 converted into aldehydes by the transformation of the 

 group CH 2 .OH into CHO, and then, by further oxida 

 tion of the group CHO to COOH, into acids contain 

 ing the same number of carbon atoms. 



Secondary alcohols contain the group CH.OH. 

 &quot;When oxidized, they are at first converted into ace 

 tones, the group CH.OH being changed to CO. These 

 acetones, when further oxidized, are resolved into 

 simpler compounds, yielding acids with a smaller num 

 ber of carbon atoms. 



Tertiary alcohols contain the group C.OH. They 

 are decomposed by oxidation without previous forma 

 tion of aldehydes or acetones, and yield acids with a 

 smaller number of carbon atoms. 



Normal alcohols are the primary alcohols of nor 

 mal hydrocarbons. 



1. Methyl Alcohol (Wood Spirit), CH 4 0=CH 3 .OII. 



Formation and Occurrence. By the destructive dis 

 tillation of cellulose, hence contained in wood vine 

 gar obtained by distilling wood. The volatile oil of 

 Gaultheria procumbens is the methyl ether of salicylic 

 acid. Pure methyl alcohol may be obtained by distil 

 ling this oil with a solution of potassa. 



Preparation. From wood vinegar by distilling with 

 calcium hydroxide ; only practicable on a large 

 scale. The volatile distillate which at first goes over 

 (wood spirit) contains the methyl alcohol, still, how 

 ever, containing impurities in the form of other vola 

 tile products. After distilling again over quicklime, 

 it is placed in contact with calcium chloride, and the 

 whole distilled on a water bath, by which process the 

 volatile impurities distil over, and the methyl alcohol 

 remains behind in combination with calcium chloride. 

 By mixing with water and distilling, these are sepa- 



