Which alcohol is commonly referred to as "wood alcohol"?

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Methanol is commonly referred to as "wood alcohol" because it was historically produced through the destructive distillation of wood. This process involves breaking down wood in the absence of oxygen, which results in the formation of methanol along with other products. Methanol is a simple alcohol with the chemical formula CH3OH and is toxic to humans—exposure can lead to serious health issues, including blindness or death if ingested.

In contrast, ethanol is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, while isopropanol (also known as isopropyl alcohol) is commonly used as a disinfectant and solvent. Butanol is another type of alcohol used mainly in industrial applications and as a fuel additive. Understanding the differences in these compounds is important in the context of drug recognition and toxicity, particularly regarding methanol's dangerous effects compared to other types of alcohol.

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