Methanol
Methanol is an important chemical raw material for fine chemicals. Its carbonylation at 3.5 MPa and 180-200° C in the presence of catalyst can produce acetic acid and further produce acetic anhydride. It reacts with syngas to prepare vinyl acetate in the presence of catalyst; reacts with isobutylene to produce tert-butyl methyl ether; prepare dimethyl oxalate through oxidization and carbonylation, and a further hydrogenation to produce ethylene glycol; reacts with toluene under catalyst and simultaneous oxidization to produce phenylethyl alcohol. It can be used as a good solvent, as a pesticide raw material, as an antifreeze agent, as a fuel and fuel additive (this is receiving increasing attention in environmental protection field). It is the main raw material in the preparation of formaldehyde, the raw material in medicine and spices production, a solvent in dyes and paint industries, the raw material in preparation of methanol single cell protein and synthesis of methyl ester.