This power point gives a brief account of differences in alcohols and various confusion creating spirits like rectified spirit, methylated spirit etc.

3. Also called neutral spirit.
It is a mixture of
 Ethanol (95.6%) w/v
 Water
produced as an azeotrope (a constant
boiling mixture) by distillation.
It is produced from molasses.
It is a highly concentrated ethanol
that has been purified by means of
repeated distillation in a process
called rectification.

4.  Also called Denatured Alcohol or
Wood spirit.
 It is a mixture of 95% w/v Ethyl
alcohol and 5-10 % Methanol
(CH3OH) .
 Methanol is added to prevent
methylated spirit being used as cheap
alcohol.
 In case of methanol poisoning,
Ethanol may be administered as an
antidote.

5. Methylated Alcohol Label

6.  It is the ethanol containing
less than 1% of water.
 At least 99% pure alcohol by
weight.
 Uses – As a reagent in
organic chemistry and
chromatography.
 Used in rubbing compounds,
lotions, tonics, colognes), in
perfumery.
 As a germicide (to kill mos),
an antifreeze, a fuel.