Methyl formate , 95% , 107-31-3
Synonym(s):
Formic acid methyl ester;Methyl formate
CAS NO.：107-31-3
Empirical Formula: C2H4O2
Molecular Weight: 60.05
MDL number: MFCD00003291
EINECS: 203-481-7
PRODUCT Properties
| Melting point: | -100 °C (lit.) |
| Boiling point: | 32-34 °C (lit.) |
| Density | 0.974 g/mL at 20 °C (lit.) |
| vapor density | 2.1 (vs air) |
| vapor pressure | 32.91 psi ( 55 °C) |
| refractive index | n |
| Flash point: | −16 °F |
| storage temp. | Store below +30°C. |
| solubility | 300g/l, 25% soluble in water, miscible with alcohol, Propylene glycol, Glycerin and oils. |
| form | Liquid |
| color | Clear colorless |
| PH | 4-5 (200g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
| Odor | Pleasant; agreeable. |
| explosive limit | 5-23%(V) |
| Odor Type | fruity |
| Odor Threshold | 130ppm |
| Water Solubility | 300 G/L (20 ºC) |
| λmax | λ: 259 nm Amax: 1.00 λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.70 λ: 265 nm Amax: 0.20 λ: 270 nm Amax: 0.04 λ: 310-400 nm Amax: 0.01 |
| Merck | 14,6077 |
| BRN | 1734623 |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.90 at 5.00 °C, 1.18 at 10.00 °C, 1.51 at 15.00 °C, 1.91 at 20.00 °C, 2.36 at 25.00 °C (column
stripping-UV, Kutsuna et al., 2005) |
| Exposure limits | TLV-TWA 100 ppm (～250 mg/m3) (ACGIH,
MSHA, and OSHA); TLV-STEL 150 ppm
(～375 mg/m3) (ACGIH); IDLH 5000 ppm
(NIOSH). |
| Dielectric constant | 8.5（20℃） |
| Stability: | Stable. Extremely flammable. Readily forms explosive mixtures with air. Note low flash point and very wide explosion limits. Incompatible with oxidizing agents. |
| LogP | -0.21 at 25℃ |
Description and Uses
Methyl Formate, also known as methyl methanoate, is the methyl ester of formic acid. The simplest example of an ester, it is a clear liquid with an ethereal odour, high vapor pressure, and low surface tension. It is an aromatic compound found in apples (Neubeller and Buchloh, 1986), and was identified as a volatile constituent in brewed, roasted, and dried coffee (Lovell et al., 1980); Methyl formate is used primarily to manufacture formamide, dimethylformamide, and formic acid. It is also used as a solvent for quick-drying finishes such as lacquers and in organic synthesis.
Methyl formate is used primarily to manufacture formamide, dimethyl formamide, and formic acid. Because of its high vapor pressure, it is used for quick - drying finishes. It is also used as an insecticide and to manufacture certain pharmaceuticals. Foam Supplies, Inc. has trademarked Ecomate, which is used as a blowing agent for foam insulation, as a replacement for CFC, HCFC, or HFCs, with zero ozone depletion potential and < 25 global warming potential.
A historical use of methyl formate, which sometimes brings it attention, was in refrigeration. Before the introduction of less-toxic refrigerants, methyl formate was used as an alternative to sulfur dioxide in domestic refrigerators, such as some models of the famous GE Monitor Top. Owners of methyl formate refrigerators should keep in mind that, even though they operate below atmospheric pressure, if evidence of a leak develops, they should take measures to avoid exposure to the ether-smelling liquid and vapor.
Safety
| Symbol(GHS) |    GHS02,GHS06,GHS08 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H224-H301+H311+H331-H319-H335-H370 |
| Precautionary statements | P210-P280-P301+P310+P330-P302+P352+P312-P304+P340+P311-P403+P233 |
| Hazard Codes | F+,Xn |
| Risk Statements | 12-20/22-36/37 |
| Safety Statements | 9-16-24-26-33 |
| OEB | A |
| OEL | TWA: 100 ppm (250 mg/m3), STEL: 150 ppm (375 mg/m3) |
| RIDADR | UN 1243 3/PG 1 |
| WGK Germany | 1 |
| RTECS | LQ8925000 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 842 °F |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HS Code | 2915 13 00 |
| HazardClass | 3 |
| PackingGroup | I |
| Toxicity | LD50 orally in Rabbit: 1500 mg/kg LD50 dermal Rat > 4000 mg/kg |
| IDLA | 4,500 ppm |
