Methyl acetate, also known as MeOAc , acetic acid methyl ester or methyl ethanoate, is a carboxylate ester with the formula CH3COOCH3. It is a flammable liquid with a characteristically pleasant smell reminiscent of some glues and nail polish removers. Methyl acetate is occasionally used as a solvent, being weakly polar and lipophilic, but its close relative ethyl acetate is a more common solvent being less toxic and less soluble in water. Methyl acetate has a solubility of 25% in water at room temperature. At elevated temperature its solubility in water is much higher. Methyl acetate is not stable in the presence of strong aqueous bases or aqueous acids. Methyl acetate is VOC exempt.
Methyl acetate has a pleasant, fruity odor and slightly bitter flavor. May be prepared by boiling acetic acid and methanol in the presence of acid catalysts; or by heating methanol with an excess carbon monoxide under pressure in the presence of a catalyst (phosphoric acid, cobalt salts).
Methyl acetate occurs naturally in low concentrations in mint, fungus,grapes, banana, coffee (Furia and Bellanca, 1975) and is a volatile constituent of nectarines (Takeoka et al., 1988). It is also present in some distilled alcoholic beverages (Shimoda et al., 1993). It is produced industrially via the carbonylation of methanol as a byproduct of acetic acid production or by esterification of acetic acid with methanol in the presence of strong acid such as sulfuric acid.
Colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. An odor threshold concentration of 48 ppbv was reported by
Nagata and Takeuchi (1990). Cometto-Muiz and Cain (1991) reported an average nasal pungency
threshold concentration of 112,500 ppmv.
Reported found in apple, banana, sweet and sour cherry, tangerine juice, black currants, guava, grapes, melon,
peach, pear, pineapple, strawberry, cabbage, tomato, clove bud, peppermint oil, vinegar, bread, cheeses, butter, yogurt, beef, beer,
cognac, rum, whiskies, cider, sherry, grape wines, cocoa, coffee, filbert, peanut, honey, soybean, olive, passion fruit, fruit brandies,
fig, gin, kiwifruit, clary sage, arrack and nectarine.
Methyl acetate is used as a solvent forlacquers, resins, oils, and nitrocellulose; inpaint removers; as a flavoring agent; and inthe manufacture of artificial leather.
Methyl acetate is produced industrially via the carbonylation of methanol as a byproduct of the production of acetic acid.Methyl acetate also arises by esterification of acetic acid with methanol in the presence of strong acids such as sulfuric acid, this production process is famous because of Eastman Kodak's intensified process using a reactive distillation.
2–1-Reactions
In the presence of strong bases such as sodium hydroxide or strong acids such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid it is hydrolyzed back into methanol and acetic acid, especially at elevated temperature. The conversion of methyl acetate back into its components, by an acid , is a first-order reaction with respect to the ester. The reaction of methyl acetate and a base, for example sodium hydroxide, is a second-order reaction with respect to both reactants.
3-Applications
A major use of methyl acetate is as a volatile low toxicity solvent in glues, paints, and nail polish removers. Acetic anhydride is produced by carbonylation of methyl acetate in a process that was inspired by the Monsanto acetic acid synthesis.
Methyl acetate may be used for the preparation of fatty acid methyl esters and triacetin from rapeseed oil via non-catalytic trans-esterification reaction under super-critical conditions.
Methyl acetate may be used in the following:
As acyl acceptor in the preparation of biodiesel.
Synthesis of ethanol.
Preparation of n-butyl acetate, via transesterification reaction with n-butanol in the presence of acidic catalysts.
It may also be used as a precursor in the synthesis of the following:
acetic anhydride
methyl acrylate
vinyl acetate
ethyl amide
ChEBI: Methyl acetate is an acetate ester resulting from the formal condensation of acetic acid with methanol. A low-boiling (57°C) colourless, flammable liquid, it is used as a solvent for many resins and oils. It has a role as a polar aprotic solvent, a fragrance and an EC 3.4.19.3 (pyroglutamyl-peptidase I) inhibitor. It is an acetate ester, a methyl ester and a volatile organic compound.
Taste characteristics at 60 ppm: green, ethereal, fruity, fresh, rum and whiskey-like.
Methyl acetate appears as a clear colorless liquid with a fragrant odor. Moderately toxic. Flash point 14 °F. Vapors heavier than air.
Highly flammable. Water soluble.
Methyl acetate presents a fire or explosion hazard when exposed to strong oxidizing agents. Emits irritating fumes and acrid smoke when heated to decomposition, [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 826]. Methyl acetate reactivity is consistent with other compounds of the ester group.
Flammable, dangerous fire and explosion
risk, explosive limits in air 3–16%. Irritant to respiratory tract. Headache, dizziness, nausea, eye damage (degeneration of ganglion cells in the retina).
The toxic effects from exposure to methylacetate include inflammation of the eyesvisual and nervous disturbances, tightnessof the chest, drowsiness, and narcosis. Ithydrolyzes in body to methanol, which prob ably produces the atrophy of the optic nerve.A 4-hour exposure to 32,000 ppm was lethalto rats. Oral and dermal toxicities of thiscompound are low. An oral LD50 value inrats is on the order of 5000 mg/kg.
(Very similar to those of methyl alcohol, which constitutes 20% of commercial grade.) Inhalation causes headache, fatigue, and drowsiness; high concentrations can produce central nervous system depression and optic nerve damage. Liquid irritates eyes and may cause defatting and cracking of skin. Ingestion causes headache, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue; may cause severe eye damage.
Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back.
Moderately toxic by
several routes. A human systemic irritant by
inhalation. A moderate skin and eye irritant.
Mutation data reported. Dangerous fire
hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or
oxidizers. Moderate explosion hazard when
exposed to heat or flame. When heated to
decomposition it emits acrid smoke and
fumes. See also ESTERS.
By boiling acetic acid and methanol in the presence of acid catalysts, or by heating methanol with an excess of carbon
monoxide under pressure in the presence of a catalyst (phosphoric acid, cobalt salts).
Methyl acetate is used as a solvent
in lacquers and paint removers; and as an intermediate
in pharmaceutical manufacture.
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Medical observation is recommended for 2448 h after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a corticosteroid spray.
Photolytic. A rate constant of 2.00 x 10-13 cm3/moleculesec was reported for the reaction of
methyl acetate and OH radicals in aqueous solution (Wallington et al., 1988b).
Chemical/Physical. Slowly hydrolyzes in water yielding methyl alcohol and acetic acid
(NIOSH, 1997). The estimated hydrolysis half-life in water at 25 °C and pH 7 is 2.5 yr (Mabey and
Mill, 1978).
At an influent concentration of 1,030 mg/L, treatment with GAC resulted in an effluent
concentration of 760 mg/L. The adsorbability of the carbon used was 54 mg/g carbon (Guisti et
al., 1974).
(1) Color Code—Red: Flammability Hazard: Store in a flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet away from ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials. (2) Color Code—Yellow Stripe (strong reducing agent): Reactivity Hazard; Store separately in an area isolated from flammables, combustibles, or other yellow coded materials. Prior to working with this chemical you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. Before entering confined space where this chemical may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Methyl acetate must be stored to avoid contact with strong oxidizers (such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine) and strong acids (such as hydrochloric, sulfuric and nitric), since violent reactions occur. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from strong alkalis and nitrates. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where methyl acetate is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of methyl acetate.
UN1231 Methyl acetate, Hazard Class: 3;
Labels: 3-Flammable liquid.
Methanol in methyl acetate can be detected by measuring its solubility in water. At 20o, the solubility of methyl acetate in water is ca 35g per 100mL, but 1% MeOH confers complete miscibility. Methanol can be removed by conversion to methyl acetate, by refluxing for 6hours with acetic anhydride (85mL/L), followed by fractional distillation. Acidic impurities can be removed by shaking with anhydrous K2CO3 and distilling. An alternative treatment is with acetyl chloride, followed by washing with concentrated NaCl and drying with CaO or MgSO4. (Solid CaCl2 cannot be used because it forms a crystalline addition compound.) Distillation from copper stearate destroys peroxides. Free alcohol or acid can be eliminated from methyl acetate by shaking with strong aqueous Na2CO3 or K2CO3 (three times), then with aqueous 50% CaCl2 (three times), saturated aqueous NaCl (twice), drying with K2CO3 and distilling it from P2O5. [Beilstein 2 IV 122.]
Vapor may form explosive mixture with
air. A Strong reducing agent. Incompatible water, acids,
nitrates, strong oxidizers; alkalis. Attacks some plastics.
Attacks many metals in presence of water. Reacts slowly
with water, forming acetic acid and methanol. Decomposes
in heat; on contact with air, bases, strong oxidizers;
UV-light; possible fire and explosion hazard
The initial threshold screening level (ITSL) for methyl acetate is 6,100 μg/m 3 based on a 8 hr. averaging time.
Dissolve or mix the material
with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator
equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state,
and local environmental regulations must be observed.
