Denatured alcohol

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A bottle of Polish denatured alcohol.

Methylated spirit

Denatured alcohol (or methylated spirits) is ethanol that has additives to make it more
poisonous or unpalatable, and thus, undrinkable. In some cases it is also dyed.

Denatured alcohol is used as a solvent and as fuel for spirit burners and camping stoves.
Because of the diversity of industrial uses for denatured alcohol, hundreds of additives
and denaturing methods have been used. Traditionally, the main additive is 10%
methanol, giving rise to the term 'methylated spirit'. Other typical additives include
isopropyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and denatonium.
[1]

Denaturing alcohol does not chemically alter the ethanol molecule. Rather, the ethanol is
mixed with other chemicals to form an undrinkable mixture.
Different additives are used to make it difficult to use distillation or other simple
processes to reverse the denaturation. Methanol is commonly used both because of its
boiling point being close to that of ethanol and because it is toxic. In many countries, it is
also required that denatured alcohol be dyed blue or purple with an aniline dye.

The tax-exempt status for denatured alcohol dates from the mid-19th century.

Contents
[hide]

 1 Purpose
 2 Formulations
 3 Uses
 4 Consumption and toxicity
 5 See also
 6 References
 7 External links

[edit] Purpose
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Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may
be challenged and removed. (March 2010)

Denatured alcohol is not, in itself, a preferred product — that is, it is not something
which would be normally demanded if given the alternative of normal ethanol. Denatured
alcohol and its manufacture are a public policy compromise. The supply and demand for
denatured alcohol arises from the fact that normal alcohol (which in everyday language
refers specifically to ethanol, suitable for human consumption as a drink) is usually very
expensive compared to similar chemicals, being highly taxed for revenue and public
health policy purposes (see sin tax). As a result, if pure ethanol were made cheaply
available as a fuel or solvent, people would drink it.

Denatured alcohol provides a solution to permit legitimate use and manufacture of

ethanol, whereby cheap ethanol can be made available for non-consumption use without
the risk of it being converted for consumption. The process creates a modified ethanol
that is not suitable for drinking, but is otherwise similar to ethanol for most purposes. As
a result there is no duty on denatured alcohol in most countries, making it considerably
cheaper than pure ethanol. Consequently, its composition is tightly defined by
government regulations which vary between countries.

In instances where absolutely pure ethanol is needed at a reasonable non-consumption-

taxed price (for example, at chemical research laboratories), tight security procedures are
required to eliminate the possibility of conversion for human consumption —
specifically, tracking the purchase and distribution of the alcohol and ensuring
compliance of workers who handle the pure ethanol.[citation needed]

[edit] Formulations
There are several grades of denatured alcohol, but the denaturants used are generally
similar. The formulation for completely denatured alcohol, according to British
regulations[2] is typical:

Completely denatured alcohol must be made in accordance with the following

formulation: with every 90 parts by volume of alcohol mix 9.5 parts by volume of wood
naphtha or a substitute for wood naphtha and 0.5 parts by volume of crude pyridine, and
to the resulting mixture add mineral naphtha (petroleum oil) in the proportion of 3.75
litres to every 1000 litres of the mixture and synthetic organic dyestuff (methyl violet) in
the proportion of 1.5 grams to every 1000 litres of the mixture.

[edit] Uses
Denatured alcohol has a variety of common uses:

 As a fuel for marine and ultra-light camping (backpacking) stoves. It is

inexpensive, may be extinguished with water, and can be transported without
special containers. However, safety concerns do arise from the near-colourless
flame with which alcohol burns. A jellied and dyed form is used in the Sterno
brand fuel "Canned Heat", and is meant to be ignited and used in the container.
 As a sanding aid, as the alcohol helps to more easily remove excess dust because
it does not open the wood grain the way that water does.[3]
 As a mealybug exterminator.[4]
 As a cleaning aid in removing ink stains from upholstery or clothes.
 As a cleaner in daily housekeeping (in Italy).
 Sometimes, as a disinfectant for small wounds (in Italy).
 As a solvent in shellac and shellac-based products.
 As an excipient in a number of pharmaceutical products for oral and topical use.[5]
 As a less expensive alternative to pure ethanol in preserving biological specimens.
 As a less toxic alternative to methanol in the production of biodiesel fuel.
Biodiesel produced using ethanol is properly called fatty acid ethyl ester, whereas
biodiesel from methanol is properly referred to as fatty acid methyl ester.[6]
 As a germicide in the removal of fungus from skin and coldsore treatment.
 For maintenance of wicks in kerosene heaters and lamps to remove water
contaminents and restore the capillary action of the wick. As a wick cleaner and a
kerosene additive, adding approx. 1 teaspoon denatured alcohol per gallon of
kerosene. [7]
 As a fuel for older toy steam engines which used a wick type or vapourising
burner. [8]
In the United States, small amounts of denatured alcohol are used in many consumer
products such as toothpaste where they are labeled as "SD alcohol XX", where SD stands
for "specially denatured" and XX is the formula used in the denaturing process that
specifies the denaturants. These formulas for denatured alcohol are found in 27 CFR part
21 of the Code of Federal Regulations.[9] Some of these formulas, such as SD alcohol 38-
B,[10] are designed to be unpalatable but otherwise non-poisonous; they are used in
applications like mouthwashes where some amount of incidental ingestion is expected.
(The specific denaturants in formulas 37 and 38-B closely resemble the active ingredients
in alcohol-based mouthwashes like Listerine.[11])

[edit] Consumption and toxicity

See also: Harm reduction

Despite its poisonous nature, denatured alcohol is sometimes consumed as a surrogate

alcohol, which can result in blindness or death if denatured alcohol contains methanol. To
help prevent this, denatonium is often added to give the substance an extremely bitter
flavor. Substances such as pyridine help to give the mixture an unpleasant odor, and
emetic (vomiting) agents such as syrup of ipecac may also be included. In Poland and
other European countries denatured alcohol contains only substances having bitter flavor
(like acetylsalicylic acid) and odour, and does not contain methanol or any substance of
severe toxicity.

[edit] See also

 Rubbing alcohol

[edit] References
1. ^ "Ethanol Denaturants". The Online Distillery Network. 22 November 1993.
http://www.distill.com/specs/EU2.html.
2. ^ "The Denatured Alcohol Regulations 2005". Office of Public Sector Information. 2005.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051524.htm.
3. ^ "Denatured Alcohol as a Sanding Aid". Woodzone.com. Unknown year.
http://www.woodzone.com/tips/denatured.htm. Retrieved 2006-04-14.
4. ^ "Mealy Bug Treatment and Description". Succulents.co.za.
http://www.succulents.co.za/succulent-plant-pests/mealy-bug.php. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
5. ^ http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/iig/index.cfm FDA approved excipient
database (search for "alcohol, denatured")
6. ^ "Transesterification Process to Manufacture Ethyl Ester of Rape Oil" (PDF). University
of Idaho. http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/EthylEsterofRapeOil.pdf. Retrieved
2008-04-01.
7. ^ [1]
8. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamod
9. ^ CFR Title 27 volume 1
 10. ^ 27 C.F.R. 21.65
11. ^ SD alcohol 37 contains thymol, menthol, and eucalyptol, three of the four active
ingredients in Advanced Listerine with Tartar Protection Antiseptic according to its Drug
Facts label. SD alcohol 38-B allows a wide range of non-poisonous denaturants alone or
in combination, including all four of Listerine's active ingredients.

Methylated Spirit Mineralised - General Information:

A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed
throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant.
It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as
serving as the primary ingredient in alcoholic beverages. [PubChem]

Pharmacology:
Alcohol produces injury to cells by dehydration and precipitation of the cytoplasm or
protoplasm. This accounts for its bacteriocidal and antifungal action. When alcohol is
injected in close proximity to nerve tissues, it produces neuritis and nerve degeneration
(neurolysis). Ninety to 98% of ethanol that enters the body is completely oxidized.
Methylated Spirit Mineralised is also used as a cosolvent to dissolve many insoluble
drugs and to serve as a mild sedative in some medicinal formulations.

Methylated Spirit Mineralised for patients

Methylated Spirit Mineralised Interactions

No information provided.

Methylated Spirit Mineralised Contraindications

Subarachnoid injection of dehydrated alcohol is contraindicated in patients receiving

anticoagulants because of the danger of bleeding.

Additional information about Methylated Spirit Mineralised

Methylated Spirit Mineralised Indication: For therapeutic neurolysis of nerves or
ganglia for the relief of intractable chronic pain in such conditions as inoperable cancer
and trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux), in patients for whom neurosurgical procedures
are contraindicated.
Mechanism Of Action: The sedative effects of ethanol are mediated through binding to
GABA receptors and glycine receptors (alpha 1 and alpha 2 subunits). In its role as an
anti-infective, ethanol acts as an osmolyte or dehydrating agent that disrupts the osmotic
balance across cell membranes.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Ethanol
Synonyms: Absolute Alcohol; Absolute Ethanol; Alcohol; Alcohol Anhydrous; Alcohol,
Dehydrated; Alcohol, Diluted; Alcool Ethylique; Alcool Etilico; Alkohol; Alkoholu
Etylowego; Aminoethanol; Beta-Aminoethanol; Beta-Aminoethyl Alcohol; Beta-
Ethanolamine; Beta-Hydroxyethylamine; Caswell No. 426; Dehydrated Ethanol;
Denatured Alcohol; Denatured Ethanol; ETA; Etanolo; Ethanol 200 Proof; Ethanol
Anhydrous; Ethanol Extra Pure; Ethyl Alcohol; Ethyl Alcohol Anhydrous; Ethyl
Alcohol, Anhydrous; Ethyl Alcohol, Denatured; Ethyl Hydrate; Ethyl Hydroxide;
Ethylolamine; Ethylol; Methylcarbinol; USAF EK-1597; HSDB 531
Drug Category: Solvents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Central Nervous System
Depressants; Disinfectants
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Ethanol: Aethanol; Aethylalkohol; Alcare Hand
Degermer; Algrain; Anhydrol; Colamine; Denatured Alcohol Cd-10; Denatured Alcohol
Cd-5; Denatured Alcohol Cd-5a; Denatured Alcohol Sd-1; Denatured Alcohol Sd-13a;
Denatured Alcohol Sd-17; Denatured Alcohol Sd-23a; Denatured Alcohol Sd-28;
Denatured Alcohol Sd-30; Denatured Alcohol Sd-39b; Denatured Alcohol Sd-39c;
Denatured Alcohol Sd-3a; Denatured Alcohol Sd-40m; Envision Conditioner Pdd 9020;
Ethamolin; Ethanol Absolute; Ethanol Absolute Bp; Ethanol, Silent Spirit; Ethyl Alcohol
& Water, 10%; Ethyl Alcohol & Water, 20%; Ethyl Alcohol & Water, 30%; Ethyl
Alcohol & Water, 40%; Ethyl Alcohol & Water, 5%; Ethyl Alcohol & Water, 50%; Ethyl
Alcohol & Water, 60%; Ethyl Alcohol & Water, 70%; Ethyl Alcohol & Water, 80%;
Ethyl Alcohol & Water, 95%; Ethyl Alcohol & Water, 96%; Glycinol; Jaysol; Jaysol S;
Methylated Spirit Mineralised; Pyro; Reagent Alcohol; Spirit; Synasol; Tecsol; Tecsol C;
Thanol; Thiofaco M-50;
Absorption: Rapidly absorbed.
Toxicity (Overdose): Oral, rat LD50: 5628 mg/kg. Symptoms and effects of overdose
include nausea, vomiting, CNS depression, acute respiratory failure or death and with
chronic use, severe health problems, such as liver and brain damage.
Protein Binding: Not Available
Biotransformation: Hepatic. Metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2E1.
Half Life: Not Available
Dosage Forms of Methylated Spirit Mineralised: Liquid Topical
Gel Topical
Liquid Intravenous
Spray Topical
Aerosol Topical
Lotion Topical
Solution / drops Oral
Liquid Oral
Solution Topical
Liquid Intramuscular
Chemical IUPAC Name: ethanol
Chemical Formula: C2H6O
Ethanol on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals

Methylated spirits

C2H5OH, ( 95% CH3CH2OH, 5% CH3OH) methylated ethanol, "spirits", duplicator fluid /

spirit, Fordigraph spirit duplicator fluid, spirit vini meth, (90% ethanol + 5% v/v
methanol, wood alcohol + 5% water), denatured alcohol, denatured spirits, (+ 2% of
methyl alcohol, pyridine, + other coal-tar unpalatable chemicals, (in UK ethanol + 9.5%
methanol + 0.5% pyridine and a blue dye). The additional substances "denature" the
ethanol so it cannot be consumed. Use in illegal home-made alcoholic beverages may
cause blindness.
Methylated spirit is highly flammable and must not be used near naked flames, e.g.
boiled in a beaker set on wire gauze over a Bunsen burner to extract chlorophyll from
leaves. Do not heat methylated spirit over a Bunsen burner, even in a closed container
such as a flask with a reflux condenser because the flask may crack. Methylated spirit
burns with a nearly colourless flame so if there is a fire, be careful of the invisible flames.
Use a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher and fire blankets to smother the flames.
Instead, use a water bath to heat methylated spirit in a flask. Even if the flask cracks, a
mixture of water and methylated spirit is much less flammable than pure methylated
spirit. Repeated contact of the skin with methylated spirit can cause dermatitis so wear
rubber gloves if using methylated spirit as a solvent for cleaning. Do not mix methylated
spirit with an oxidizing acid, e.g. concentrated nitric acid, because a vigorous reaction or
explosion may occur. Use methylated spirit as a cheap low toxicity solvent for solvent
extraction. Observe the rapid changes in colour during the dissolution of plant pigments.

Methylomics and the science of methylated spirits in psychiatry

Methylomics is how the body uses methyl groups for various metabolic functions, from maintaining
DNA methylation to the synthesis of vital cellular components to the inactivation of various
biological substances.11,12 The body cannot make methyl groups, but gets them from dietary
sources, especially by converting folate to L-methylfolate, methionine, and ultimately to SAMe which
is the universal methyl donor (Figure 2). Methyl groups are important in the synthesis of nucleic
acid bases,11 which are linked not only to the synthesis of DNA and RNA, 11 but also to the synthesis
of biopterin13 (Figure 3), the critical cofactor required by the enzymes that synthesize the
monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) (Figure
4). Methyl groups are also involved in the synthesis of melatonin and epinephrine, and in the
inactivation of DA and NE, the latter by the methyltransferase enzyme known as catechol-o-methyl
transferase (COMT) (Figure 5). Thus, methylomics is a critical regulatory process for genetics,
epigenetics, and neurotransmitters, and is in a key position to influence our spirits, not only those
that occur during normal brain development, but those that represent symptoms of psychiatric
disorders. 
 

Upstream versus downstream methylomics in psychiatry

Information flow starts at the genome and can be considered “upstream.” Genetic instructions then
flow “downstream” into various gene products, small molecules, and cellular functions. Epigenetic
molecular mechanisms act upstream and are thought to negotiate how the environment interfaces
with genes.4 For example, epigenetic mechanisms are recruited to drive experience-dependent
modifications in cognition and behavior. 4 When these upstream mechanisms go awry in the brain,
they are thought to be capable of producing psychiatric symptoms and mental illnesses.

Downstream consequences of epigenetic mechanisms include the ability to form new synapses with
input of new information, to make enzymes and receptors capable of regulating neurotransmitter
levels, and to regulate the availability of methyl groups themselves for use in both upstream and
downstream methylomics.2-4 The efficient operation of these downstream functions is also necessary
in order to prevent breakdown of neuronal functioning, and potentially, to prevent psychiatric
disorders.

Upstream histone and DNA methylation provide important clues about gene expression in the
human brain during normal development and in certain disease states. For example, mutations
within genes encoding for various histone methyltransferases are linked to mental retardation (eg,
the H3K9 specific histone methyltransferease EHMT1) and to autism (eg, H3K4 specific histone
memethylase JARID1C/SMCX).14 Mutations in the gene for a methylated DNA binding protein
(MeCP2) that normally silences genes are linked to the behavioral abnormalies of Rett
syndrome.15 Histone hyper-trimethylation has been described in Huntington’s Disease. 15

Methanol [methylated spirits] is converted into formic acid which also inhibits the same oxidase
system.