Which one of the following is known as Wood Spirit?

Methanol (CH3OH), the simplest alcohol, is commonly known as 'Wood Spirit' or 'Wood Alcohol' [2]. This name originated because methanol was historically produced through the destructive distillation of wood, a process involving heating wood in the absence of oxygen. While modern industrial production typically utilizes a catalytic process involving carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the traditional nomenclature persists. Methanol is a highly toxic, colorless, and volatile liquid that can cause blindness or death if ingested [2]. It is frequently used as an industrial solvent, fuel, and antifreeze [1]. In contrast, ethanol is the alcohol found in beverages, while formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are aldehydes, which are distinct functional groups from the alcohols [1].

Sources

1. [2] https://www.britannica.com/science/methanol
2. [1] https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/methanol