General Description
A colorless volatile liquid with a fruity, aromatic odor. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Flash point below 60°F. Vapors heavier than air. May irritate skin and eyes. Used to make flavoring extracts and other chemicals.
Reactivity Profile
An ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
Health Hazard
May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water.
Occurrence
Reported found in apple juice, banana, chocolate, cognac, Concord grape, honey, apricot, orange, pineapple, rum,
strawberry, strawberry oil, watermelon, whiskey, champagne wine, grape wine, beer, port, passion fruit wine, sherry wine, orange juice,
papaya, mango, kiwi fruit, quince, spineless monkey orange (Strychnos madagasc.), spearmint oil and Parmesan cheese.
Definition
ChEBI: A fatty acid methyl ester obtained by the formal condensation of isobutyric acid with ethanol.
Aroma threshold values
Detection: 0.01 to 1 ppb
Taste threshold values
Taste characteristics at 12.5 ppm: pungent, ethereal and fruity with a rum- and eggnog-like nuance. Taste
characteristics at 20 ppm: sweet, ethereal, fruity with a rum-like nuance
Purification Methods
Wash the ester with aqueous 5% Na2CO3, then with saturated aqueous CaCl2. Dry it over CaSO4 and distil. [Beilstein 1 IV 846.]
