ALLYL FORMATE

Allyl formate (CAS # 1838-59-1) is a clear, colorless liquid. It is slightly soluble in water. It is reported to cause liver and kidney injury in animals. The most common effect in humans following occupational exposure to allyl formate exposure is upper respiratory tract irritation.

Allyl formate is used as a solvent in spray lacquers, enamels, varnishes, and latex paints and as an ingredient in paint thinners and strippers, varnish removers, and herbicides. It is also used in liquid soaps, cosmetics, industrial and household cleaners, and dry-cleaning compounds.

Allyl formate is produced by direct esteritication of Allyl alcohol with Formic acid under azeotropic conditions (water-carrier must be very low-boiling).

A colorless liquid. Soluble in water. Flash point between 5 and 67°F. Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin contact.

Highly flammable. Soluble in water.

ALLYL 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.

TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will 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.

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 and poison 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.

Poison by ingestion. Moderately toxic by inhalation. Very flammable and reactive. Dangerous fire hazard. See also ALLYL COMPOUNDS and ESTERS. When heated to decomposition it yields irritating smoke and fumes

Allyl formate is cleaved by nonspecific esterases to allyl alcohol, which is then oxidized by alcohol dehydrogenases to the reactive acrolein, which is responsible for the hepatotoxic action. The toxicity of allyl alcohol via its metabolite acrolein is dependent on the concentration of GSH. After depletion of GSH, the reactive metabolite of allyl alcohol can bind to essential sulfhydryl groups in the cellular macromolecules, leading to structural and functional modifications, which can be responsible for hepatic injury. Appearance of lipid peroxidation signals events that follow toxication mechanisms initiated by acrolein, and subsequent and continued lipid peroxidation could be merely the consequence of the cell death.

soluble in alcohol and oils.