A solution containing an unknown amount of methyl alcohol that is dissolved in n-octane is added to an excess of methylmagnesium iodide which is dissolved in the high boiling solvent, n-butyl ether. A gas is evolved from the reaction. The gas is collected and its volume determined to be 1.04 ml (corrected to STP). What is the gas, and how is it formed? What is the weight of methyl alcohol that is added to the Grignard reagent?