Chemical Properties
CLEAR COLOURLESS TO VERY SLIGHTLY YELLOW LIQUID
Uses
Methoxyacetic acid is used in zebrafish embryotoxicity test to evaluate chemical toxicity after exposure of the complete vertebrate embryo during embryogenesis. It is also used in industry as gelling, viscosity and stabilizer reagent.
Definition
ChEBI: A monocarboxylic acid that is acetic acid in which one of the methyl hydrogens is replaced by a methoxy group.
General Description
Colorless liquid.
Air & Water Reactions
Hygroscopic. Water soluble.
Reactivity Profile
Methoxyacetic acid is incompatible with alkalis and metals.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Methoxyacetic acid is corrosive.
Fire Hazard
Methoxyacetic acid is combustible.
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by
ingestion. An experimental teratogen.
Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation
data reported. When heated to
decomposition it emits acrid smoke and
irritating fumes.
Synthesis
Methoxyacetic acid is prepared from Monochloroacetic acid with
Sodium methylate.
Purification Methods
Fractionally crystallise the acid by repeated partial freezing, then fractionally distil it under vacuum through a vacuum-jacketed Vigreux column ~20cm long (p 11). [Beilstein 3 IV 574.]
