Chemical Properties
CLEAR COLORLESS TO YELLOWISH LIQUID
Chemical Properties
Butyl formate has a fruity, plum-like odor and corresponding taste.
Occurrence
Reported found in fresh apple, strawberry fruit, cloudberry, sherry and Parmesan cheese.
Uses
Solvent for nitrocellulose, some types of cel-
lulose acetate, many cellulose ethers, many natural
and synthetic resins, lacquers, perfumes, organic
synthesis (intermediate), flavoring. Occasionally used as a topnote material in green-floral perfume bases. Used in flavor
compositions for imitation Fruit (Tutti-frutti ),
Rum, Plum, Liquor and other flavors.
Definition
ChEBI: Butyl formate is a formate ester resulting from the formal condensation of formic acid with the hydroxy group of butan-1-ol. Found in apples, strawberries, sherry and Pamesan cheese, it has a fruity, plum-like odour and taste. It has a role as a polar aprotic solvent, a flavouring agent and a fragrance. It is functionally related to a butan-1-ol.
Preparation
By azeotropic distillation of formic acid and n-butyl alcohol with isopropyl formate; by boiling n-butyl alcohol and formamide
in the presence on ZnCl, ZnSo4 or HgCl2.
Aroma threshold values
Detection: 800 ppb to 6 ppm
Synthesis Reference(s)
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 109, p. 3330, 1987
DOI: 10.1021/ja00245a024
General Description
A clear colorless liquid. Flash point 64°F. Less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Butyl formate is 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. Can generate electrostatic charges [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 247].
Hazard
Narcotic and irritating in high concentra-
tion. Flammable, dangerous fire risk.
Health Hazard
Exposure can cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat. High concentrations have a narcotic effect.
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by
ingestion. Mildly toxic by inhalation. Human
systemic effects by inhalation: muscle
contractions and spasticity, conjunctiva
irritation, and unspecified respiratory
changes. An irritant and narcotic in high
concentrations. See also ESTERS, nBUTYL ALCOHOL, and FORMIC ACID.
Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat
or flame. To fight fire, use alcohol foam,
foam, CO2, dry chemical. Incompatible with
oxidizing materials. When heated to
decomposition it emits acrid and irritating
fumes.
Purification Methods
Wash the formate with saturated NaHCO3 solution in the presence of saturated NaCl, until no further reaction occurs, then with saturated NaCl solution, dry (MgSO4), filter and fractionally distil the filtrate. [Beilstein 2 IV 28.]
Toxics Screening Level
The initial threshold screening level (ITSL) for butyl formate is 0.1 μg/m3 (averaging time).
