Methyl Acetate CAS#79-20-9 Product Description
Methyl acetate, also referred to as MeOAc, methyl ethanoate, or methyl ester of acetic acid, is a carboxylic acid ester with the molecular formula CH₃COOCH₃. It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic pleasant odor, often resembling that of certain adhesives and nail polish removers.
Due to its low polarity and lipophilic characteristics, methyl acetate is widely utilized as an industrial solvent. Compared with the structurally related solvent ethyl acetate, it offers greater water solubility, with a solubility of approximately 25% at room temperature that increases at higher temperatures.
Methyl acetate is susceptible to decomposition in the presence of strong aqueous acids and bases, requiring appropriate handling and storage precautions. Furthermore, it is recognized as a VOC-exempt solvent in certain regulatory jurisdictions, making it a useful option for industrial applications subject to applicable environmental requirements.
Methyl Acetate CAS#79-20-9 Chemical Properties
| Melting point | -98 °C (lit.) |
| Boiling point | 57-58 °C (lit.) |
| density | 0.934 g/mL at 25 °C |
| vapor density | 2.55 (vs air) |
| vapor pressure | 165 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
| refractive index | n20/D 1.361(lit.) |
| FEMA | 2676 | METHYL ACETATE |
| Fp | 3.2 °F |
| storage temp. | no restrictions. |
| solubility | 250g/l |
| form | Solution |
| color | Clear colorless to slightly pale yellow |
| Relative polarity | 0.253 |
| Odor | Slightly acrid, sweet; fragrant. |
| explosive limit | 3.1-16%(V) |
| Odor Threshold | 1.7ppm |
| Odor Type | ethereal |
| Water Solubility | 250 g/L (20 ºC) |
| λmax | λ: 255 nm Amax: 1.0 |
| λ: 275 nm Amax: 0.1 | |
| λ: 300 nm Amax: 0.01 | |
| JECFA Number | 125 |
| Merck | 146008 |
| BRN | 1736662 |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.90 at 20.00 °C, 1.56 at 30.00 °C (headspace-GC, Hovorka et al., 2002) |
| Exposure limits | TLV-TWA 200 ppm (～610 mg/m3) (ACGIH, MSHA, and OSHA); TLV-STEL 250 ppm (～760 mg/m3) (ACGIH); IDLH 10,000 ppm (NIOSH). |
| Dielectric constant | 7.3（20℃） |
| Stability: | Stable. Extremely flammable - readily forms explosive mixtures with air. Note low flash point and wide explosion limits. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, strong acids, nitrates. May be moisture sensitive. |
| LogP | 0.18 at 20℃ |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 79-20-9(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Acetic acid, methyl ester(79-20-9) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Methyl acetate (79-20-9) |
Methyl Acetate CAS#79-20-9 Safety Information
| Hazard Codes | F,Xi |
| Risk Statements | 11-36-66-67 |
| Safety Statements | 16-26-29-33 |
| RIDADR | UN 1231 3/PG 2 |
| OEB | A |
| OEL | TWA: 200 ppm (610 mg/m3), STEL: 250 ppm (760 mg/m3) |
| WGK Germany | 1 |
| RTECS | AI9100000 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 936 °F |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HS Code | 2915 39 00 |
| HazardClass | 3 |
| PackingGroup | II |
| Hazardous Substances Data | 79-20-9(Hazardous Substances Data) |
| Toxicity | LD50 orally in Rabbit: > 5000 mg/kg LD50 dermal Rat > 2000 mg/kg |
| IDLA | 3,100 ppm [10% LEL] |
Methyl Acetate CAS#79-20-9 Product Application
Methyl acetate is utilized in the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and triacetin through the non-catalytic transesterification of rapeseed oil under supercritical conditions.
Additional applications include:
1.Biodiesel Production: Serves as an acyl acceptor in biodiesel manufacturing processes, facilitating the conversion of vegetable oils and other feedstocks.
2.Ethanol Synthesis: Can be used as a raw material in chemical processes involved in ethanol production.
3.n-Butyl Acetate Manufacturing: Applied in the preparation of n-butyl acetate through transesterification with n-butanol in the presence of acidic catalysts.
4.Organic Chemical Synthesis: Functions as a versatile chemical intermediate and precursor for producing a variety of organic compounds and specialty chemicals.
