Methyl formate
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Methyl formate, also called methyl methanoate, is the methyl ester of formic acid. It is a clear liquid with an ethereal odor, high vapor pressure and low surface tension.
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Production
In the laboratory, methyl formate can be produced by the condensation reaction of methanol and formic acid, as follows:
Industrial methyl formate, however, is usually produced by the combination of methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a strong base:
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Uses
Methyl formate is used primarily to manufacture formamide, dimethylformamide, and formic acid. Because of its high vapor pressure, it dries very quickly and thus is used for quick-drying finishes. It is also used as an insecticide and to manufacture certain pharmaceuticals.
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More info
| Structure: | |
O H
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H-C-O-C-H
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H
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| Boiling point: | 89°F (32±1°C) |
| Molecular weight: | 60.05 g/mol |
| CAS registry number: | 107-31-3 |
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External links
- NIST Chemistry WebBook - Methyl formate (http://webbook.nist.gov/cgi/cbook.cgi?ID=107-31-3&Units=SI&cMS=on)
- ChemicalLand21.com entry on METHYL FORMATE (http://www.chemicalland21.com/arokorhi/industrialchem/organic/METHYL%20FORMATE.htm)
