Methyl Acetate CAS#79-20-9 Products Description
Methyl acetate, also known as MeOAc, methyl ethanoate, or methyl acetate ester, is a carboxylic acid ester with the molecular formula CH₃COOCH₃. It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic pleasant, fruity odor often associated with certain adhesives and nail polish removers.
Due to its relatively low polarity and favorable solvent properties, methyl acetate is widely used in various industrial applications. Compared with the closely related solvent ethyl acetate, it has greater water solubility, with solubility reaching approximately 25% at room temperature and increasing at higher temperatures.
Methyl acetate can undergo hydrolysis in the presence of strong aqueous acids or bases, so appropriate storage and handling precautions are necessary. It may also be used as a lower-VOC alternative in certain solvent formulations; however, its VOC-exempt status depends on the applicable environmental regulations and jurisdiction.
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#79-20-9Safety 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 Products Application
1.Coatings & lacquers Fast-evaporating solvent for nitrocellulose lacquer, wood coating, automotive refinish paint and aerosol coating.
2.Printing inks Solvent for gravure & flexographic packaging ink, delivers glossy film and low residual odor.
3.Adhesives & artificial leather Diluent for PU adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive; processing solvent for artificial leather, also used as PU foam blowing agent.
4.Flavors & fragrances (food grade) Raw material for fruit flavors, permitted food additive.
5.Pharmaceutical & fine chemical industry Extraction solvent for API and agrochemical intermediates, reaction medium and chromatographic solvent.
6.Industrial degreasing cleaner Cleaning solvent for metal parts and electronic components.
