In methane, CH 4, the hydrogen atoms are of equal value, and hence only one alcohol, viz.
Methane is a natural gas created in several ways.
Prior to 1830, little was known of the process other than that organic compounds generally yielded tarry and solid matters, but the discoveries of Liebig and Dumas (of acetone from acetates), of Mitscherlich (of benzene from benzoates) and of Persoz (of methane from acetates and lime) brought the operation into common laboratory practice.
The hydrocarbon methane, CH 4, when completely burned to carbon dioxide and water, generates 213800 cal.
The quinonoid structure of many coloured compounds has been proved experimentally, as, for example, by Hewitt for the benzene-azo-phenols, and Hantzsch for triaminotriphenyl methane and acridine derivatives; but, at the same time, many substances cannot be so explained.
