Methanol gives general tests of the alcohol group.
If organic compounds are liquid, a gas (hydrogen) is obtained in the form of bubbles by pouring a piece of sodium into it.
Red color is obtained by adding ceric ammonium nitrate solution to organic compounds.
On heating methanol with a few drops of salicylic acid and concentrated sulfuric acid, methyl salicylate is formed and thus gives an odor like wintergreen oil or iodex.
By taking a little methanol in a test tube and dipping a wire of red hot copper in it, formaldehyde is formed and due to this there is a pungent smell.
It does not provide iodoform testing.