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186325

Sigma-Aldrich

Methyl acetate

ReagentPlus®, 99%

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
CH3COOCH3
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
74.08
Beilstein:
1736662
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352108
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.21

vapor density

2.55 (vs air)

Quality Level

vapor pressure

165 mmHg ( 20 °C)

product line

ReagentPlus®

Assay

99%

form

liquid

autoignition temp.

936 °F

expl. lim.

16 %

refractive index

n20/D 1.361 (lit.)

bp

57-58 °C (lit.)

mp

−98 °C (lit.)

density

0.934 g/mL at 25 °C

SMILES string

COC(C)=O

InChI

1S/C3H6O2/c1-3(4)5-2/h1-2H3

InChI key

KXKVLQRXCPHEJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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General description

Its IR spectra in the vapor phase and in solution form (in CS2 and CCl4) have been reported. It can be synthesized from dimethyl ether via carbonylation in the presence of halide-free catalysts based on zeolites. It has also been reported to be formed during the synthesis of poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA). It undergoes transesterification reaction with n-octanol in the presence of Amberlyst 15 catalyst to afford octyl acetate and methanol.
Methyl acetate is an aliphatic ester that can be prepared via carbonylation of dimethyl ether over zeolites. MA is formed as a by-product during the preparation of polyvinyl alcohol from acetic acid and methanol.

Application

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

Legal Information

ReagentPlus is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Pictograms

FlameExclamation mark

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Eye Irrit. 2 - Flam. Liq. 2 - STOT SE 3

Target Organs

Central nervous system

Supplementary Hazards

Storage Class Code

3 - Flammable liquids

WGK

WGK 1

Flash Point(F)

8.6 °F - closed cup

Flash Point(C)

-13 °C - closed cup


Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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Kinetics of transesterification of methyl acetate and n-octanol catalyzed by cation exchange resins.
Liu Y, et al.
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, 30(5), 1039-1042 (2013)
Catalysts, Kinetics, and Reactive Distillation for Methyl Acetate Synthesis.
Zuo C, et al.
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 53(26), 10540-10548 (2014)
A new process for catalyst-free production of biodiesel using supercritical methyl acetate.
Saka S and Isayama Y.
Fuel: The Science and Technology of Fuel and Energy, 88(7), 1307-1313 (2009)
Selective carbonylation of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate catalyzed by acidic zeolites.
Patricia Cheung et al.
Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English), 45(10), 1617-1620 (2006-01-31)
Synthesis of ethanol from methanol and syngas through an indirect route containing methanol dehydrogenation, DME carbonylation, and methyl acetate hydrogenolysis.
Liu Y, et al.
Fuel Processing Technology, 110, 206-213 (2013)

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