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methyl acetate

 
Dictionary: methyl acetate
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n.
An organic compound, CH3COOCH3, used as a paint remover and general solvent and in the manufacture of perfumes.


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Chemistry Dictionary: methyl ethanoate
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Variant: methyl acetate

A colourless volatile fragrant liquid, CH3COOCH3; r.d. 0.92; m.p. –98°C; b.p. 54°C. A typical ester, it can be made from methanol and methanoic acid and is used mainly as a solvent.


Wikipedia: Methyl acetate
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Not to be confused with menthyl acetate.
Methyl acetate[1]
Methyl acetate
IUPAC name
Systematic name Methyl ethanoate
Identifiers
CAS number 79-20-9 Yes check.svgY
SMILES
ChemSpider ID 6335
Properties
Molecular formula C3H6O2
Molar mass 74.08 g/mol
Density 0.932 g/cm³
Melting point

-98 °C, 175 K, -144 °F
Boiling point

56.9 °C, 330 K, 134 °F
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
NFPA 704
NFPA 704.svg
3
1
0
 
Flash point -9 °C
 Yes check.svgY (what is this?)  (verify)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Methyl acetate, also known as acetic acid methyl ester or methyl ethanoate, is a clear, flammable liquid with a characteristic, not unpleasant smell like certain glues or nail polish removers. Methyl acetate has characteristics very similar to its analog ethyl acetate. Methyl acetate is used as a solvent in glues, paints, and nail polish removers, in chemical reactions, and for extractions. Methyl acetate is a non-polar (lipophilic) to weakly polar (hydrophilic) aprotic solvent. 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 acids. Methyl acetate is VOC exempt.[2]

Contents

Chemistry

Methyl acetate is an ester that is synthesized from acetic acid and methanol in the presence of strong acids such as sulfuric acid in an esterification reaction. 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.

Applications

Acetic anhydride is produced by carbonylation of methyl acetate in a process that was inspired by the Monsanto acetic acid synthesis.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Merck Index, 12th Edition, 6089.
  2. ^ Zeno, W. Wicks, JR, Frank N. Jones, S. Peter Pappas, and Douglas A. Wicks. Organic Coatings Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley, 2007. ISBN# 978-0-471-69806-7
  3. ^ Zoeller, J. R.; Agreda, V. H.; Cook, S. L.; Lafferty, N. L.; Polichnowski, S. W.; Pond, D. M. (1992). "Eastman Chemical Company Acetic Anhydride Process". Catalysis Today 13: 73-91. doi:10.1016/0920-5861(92)80188-S. 

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Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Chemistry Dictionary. A Dictionary of Chemistry. Sixth Edition. Copyright © Market House Books Ltd, 2008. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Methyl acetate".  Read more