| Chemical Properties |
CLEAR COLORLESS TO YELLOWISH LIQUID |
| 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]. |
| 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.] |
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