ALCOHOLS. 



309 



the ordinary temperature. Most alcohols are specifically lighter than 

 water ; the lower members are soluble in or mix with water in all 

 proportions ; the higher members are less soluble, and, finally, insolu- 

 ble. Most alcohols are volatile without decomposition ; some of the 

 highest members, however, decompose before being volatilized. 



Although alcohols are neutral substances, it is possible to replace 

 the hydrogen of the hydroxyl by metals, as, for instance, CH 3 OH = 

 methyl alcohol ; CH 3 ONa = sodium methyl oxide or sodium me- 

 thylate. 



The oxygen of alcohols may be replaced by sulphur, when com- 

 pounds are formed known as hydrosulphides or mercaptans; these 

 bodies may .be obtained by treating the chlorides of hydrocarbon 

 residues with potassium sulphydrate : 



C 2 H 5 C1 + KSH = KC1 + C 2 H 5 SH. 



By replacement of the hydrogen of the hydroxyl in alcohols by 

 alcohol radicals ethers are formed ; by replacing the same hydrogen 

 with acid radicals compound ethers are produced. 



Monatomic normal alcohols of the general composition 



C n H 2 



or C n H 2n 



Methyl alcohol, CH 3 OH (Methyl hydroxide, Methyl alcohol, Wood- 

 spirit, Wood-naphta). Methyl alcohol is one of the many products 

 obtained by the destructive distillation of wood. When pure it is a 

 thin, colorless liquid, similar in smell and taste to ethyl alcohol ; crude 

 wood-spirit, which contains many impurities, has an offensive odor 

 and a nauseous, burning taste. Methyl alcohol mixes in all propor- 

 tions with water; it dissolves resins and volatile oils as freely as ethyl 

 alcohol, and is often substituted for the latter for various purposes in 

 the arts and manufactures. 



