Methyl Acetate CAS#79-20-9
Excellent Solvent Performance: Methyl acetate is a weakly polar, lipophilic solvent that provides effective dissolving power for a wide range of industrial and chemical applications.
VOC-Exempt Solvent: Classified as a VOC-exempt solvent, it helps manufacturers meet environmental regulations while maintaining high process efficiency.
Good Water Solubility: With approximately 25% solubility in water at room temperature and even higher solubility at elevated temperatures, it offers flexibility in various formulations and processing conditions.
Pleasant Odor and Versatile Applications: Featuring a mild, pleasant odor, methyl acetate is widely used in coatings, adhesives, inks, and cleaning products as an effective and versatile solvent.
Methyl Acetate CAS#79-20-9
Methyl acetate, also known as MeOAc, methyl ethanoate, or acetic acid methyl ester, is a carboxylate ester with the molecular formula CH₃COOCH₃. It is a flammable, colorless liquid characterized by a pleasant odor similar to that of certain glues and nail polish removers.
Methyl acetate is commonly used as a solvent due to its weak polarity and lipophilic properties. Compared with its closely related compound, ethyl acetate, it exhibits higher water solubility, reaching approximately 25% at room temperature and increasing further at elevated temperatures.
The compound is not stable in the presence of strong aqueous acids or bases and should be handled accordingly. In addition, methyl acetate is classified as a VOC-exempt solvent, making it suitable for applications requiring compliance with environmental regulations.
Methyl acetate 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) |
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] |
Product Usage Of Methyl Acetate CAS#79-20-9
Methyl acetate can be used in the production of fatty acid methyl esters and triacetin from rapeseed oil through a non-catalytic transesterification process under supercritical conditions.
It is also employed in the following applications:
As an acyl acceptor in biodiesel production.
In the synthesis of ethanol.
In the preparation of n-butyl acetate via transesterification with n-butanol in the presence of acidic catalysts.
As a chemical intermediate and precursor for the synthesis of various organic compounds.
