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 | |||
| Names | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name Ethyl formate | |||
| Systematic IUPAC name Ethyl methanoate | |||
| Identifiers | |||
| |||
3D model (JSmol) | |||
| 906769 | |||
| ChEBI | |||
| ChEMBL | |||
| ChemSpider |
| ||
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.003.384 | ||
| EC Number |
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| RTECS number |
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| UNII | |||
| UN number | 1190 | ||
| |||
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| Properties | |||
| HCOOCH2CH3 | |||
| Molar mass | 74.079 g·mol−1 | ||
| Appearance | Colorless liquid[1] | ||
| Odor | fruity[1] | ||
| Density | 0.917 g/cm3 | ||
| Melting point | −80 °C; −112 °F; 193 K | ||
| Boiling point | 54.0 °C (129.2 °F; 327.1 K) | ||
| 9% (17.78 °C)[1] | |||
| Vapor pressure | 200 mmHg (20°C)[1] | ||
| −43.00·10−6 cm3/mol | |||
| Hazards | |||
| Flash point | −20 °C; −4 °F; 253 K[1] | ||
| Explosive limits | 2.8% - 16.0%[1] | ||
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |||
LD50 (median dose) | 1850 mg/kg (rat, oral) 1110 mg/kg (guinea pig, oral) 2075 mg/kg (rabbit, oral)[2] | ||
LCLo (lowest published) | 10,000 ppm (cat, 1.5 hr) 8000 ppm (rat, 4 hr)[2] | ||
| NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |||
PEL (Permissible) | TWA 100 ppm (300 mg/m3)[1] | ||
REL (Recommended) | TWA 100 ppm (300 mg/m3)[1] | ||
IDLH (Immediate danger) | 1500 ppm[1] | ||
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |||
Ethyl formate is anester formed whenethanol (analcohol) reacts withformic acid (acarboxylic acid). Ethyl formate has the characteristic smell ofrum and is partially responsible for the flavor ofraspberries,[3] occurring naturally in some plant oils, fruits, and juices.
Ethyl formate isgenerally recognized as safe by theU.S. Food and Drug Administration.[4]
According to theU.S Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ethyl formate can irritate eyes, skin,mucous membranes, and therespiratory system of humans and other animals; it is also acentral nervous systemdepressant.[5] In industry, it is used as a solvent forcellulose nitrate,cellulose acetate, oils, and greases. It can be used as a substitute foracetone; workers may also be exposed to it under the following circumstances:[5]
OSHA considers a time-weighted average of 100parts per million (300 milligrams per cubic meter) over an eight-hour period as thepermissible exposure limit. TheU.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also considers a time-weighted average of 100 ppm over an eight-hour period as therecommended exposure limit.[6]
Ethyl formate has been identified in dust clouds in an area of the Milky Way galaxy calledSagittarius B2. It is among 50 molecular species identified using the30 metreIRAM radiotelescope.[3]
