Question

What are methylated spirits?

Answer 1

The term ‘methylated spirits’ is coined from the chemical name methanol that is an active ingredient in such spirits. Spirit is another common term used for alcohol. All forms of alcohol cannot be consumed and methylated alcohol in one such type.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Alcohol is an oxygen-containing functional group found in organic compounds. Among the different types of alcohol, the one which is consumed in the form of liquors is ethanol. Concentrated ethanol is never directly consumed, but is mixed with flavours and chemicals to mask its odour and soften its taste.
Ethanol is also used for a wide variety of commercial and industrial purposes, but its composition is not the same as that of liquors available in the market. It is especially mixed with contaminants to obtain a denatured form that is harmful to human health and is not fit for consumption.
A variety of additives are added to ethanol such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone. These are only added in minute amounts. Mainly ten percent methanol is added to ethanol and therefore it is called methylated spirit.

Note:
Another name for methylated spirit is denatured alcohol. All the volatile organic substances added to ethanol provide a foul smell and unpleasant taste to it which significantly discourages industrial workers from consuming the alcohol that is to be used for commercial purposes.