Uses of Alcohols

Methanol is used as an industrial solvent for paints, varnishes, shellac, gums and cement, and as a starting material for dyes, drugs, perfumes and formaldehyde manufacture. Ethanol is used in preparing paints and varnishes, other organic compounds (ether, chloroform, iodoform), dyes and transparent soaps; as 'power alcohol', a petrol substitute/additive and aeroplane fuel; and as a preservative for biological specimens. Ethylene glycol is used as an antifreeze in automobile radiators, and its dinitrate is used, mixed with TNG, as an explosive. Glycerol is used as a sweetening agent in confectionery and beverages, in cosmetics and transparent-soap manufacture, in printing inks, stamp-pad ink and as a lu …