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| Methyl acetate | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| IUPAC name | Methyl acetate |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [79-20-9] |
| SMILES |
|
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C3H6O2 |
| Molar mass | 74.08 g/mol |
| Density | 0.932 g/cm³ |
| Melting point |
-98 °C |
| Boiling point |
56.9 °C |
| Hazards | |
| MSDS | External MSDS |
| NFPA 704 |
 3
1
0
|
| Flash point | -9 C |
| 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 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 miscibility with water is much higher. Methyl acetate is not stable in the presence of strong aqueous bases or acids.
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(NaOH), is a second-order reaction with respect to both reactants.
See also
References
- Merck Index, 12th Edition, 6089.
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 31 July 2008, at 06:09.
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