Methyl Formate CAS 107-31-3
Methyl formate, an ester derived from formic acid, is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid at ambient temperature, characterized by a pleasant odor. It is soluble in water, alcohols, and ethers, and undergoes saponification when exposed to water or alkaline solutions. The compound is readily hydrolyzed in the presence of moisture. Its vapors are flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air, with an explosion limit ranging from 6.0% to 20.0% (v/v). As a key intermediate in organic synthesis, methyl formate is extensively utilized in the production of fragrances, solvents, organic synthesis chemicals, bactericides, and insecticides.
Chemical 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 | n20/D 1.343(lit.) |
| Fp | −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 |
| Odor | Pleasant; agreeable. |
| PH | 4-5 (200g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
| explosive limit | 5-23%(V) |
| Odor Threshold | 130ppm |
| Odor Type | fruity |
| biological source | synthetic |
| Water Solubility | 300 G/L (20 ºC) |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.187 W/(m·K) at 25 ℃ |
| 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 | 146077 |
| 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. |
| Major Application | cleaning products |
| cosmetics | |
| flavors and fragrances | |
| food and beverages | |
| personal care | |
| InChI | 1S/C2H4O2/c1-4-2-3/h2H,1H3 |
| InChIKey | TZIHFWKZFHZASV-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| SMILES | [H]C(=O)OC |
| LogP | -0.21 at 25℃ |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 107-31-3(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Methyl formate(107-31-3) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Methyl formate (107-31-3) |
Product Application of CAS#107-31-3
In industrial applications, methyl formate is used as a raw material in the synthesis of cellulose acetate and dimethylformamide. Its other uses include acting as a solvent for carbendazim (a fungicidal agent), serving as a crosslinking agent for phenolic resins, and functioning as a fumigant for fresh fruits and various tobacco products.
