Ethyl formate

Ethyl formate is an ester formed when ethanol (an alcohol) reacts with formic acid (a carboxylic acid). Ethyl formate has the characteristic smell of rum and is also partially responsible for the flavor of raspberries.[3] It occurs naturally in the body of ants and in the stingers of bees. [4]

Ethyl formate
Ethyl formate
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
  • 203-721-0
RTECS number
  • LQ8400000
UNII
UN number 1190
Properties
C3H6O2
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):
1850 mg/kg (rat, oral)
1110 mg/kg (guinea pig, oral)
2075 mg/kg (rabbit, oral)[2]
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 their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Exposure

Ethyl formate is generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.[5]

According to the U.S Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ethyl formate can irritate eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and the respiratory system of humans and other animals; it is also a central nervous system depressant.[6] In industry, it is used as a solvent for cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, oils, and greases. It can be used as a substitute for acetone; workers may also be exposed to it under the following circumstances:[6]

OSHA considers a time-weighted average of 100 parts per million (300 milligrams per cubic meter) over an eight-hour period as the permissible exposure limit. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also considers a time-weighted average of 100 ppm over an eight-hour period as the recommended exposure limit.[7]

In space

Ethyl formate has been identified in dust clouds in an area of the Milky Way galaxy called Sagittarius B2. It is among 50 molecular species identified using the 30 metre IRAM radiotelescope.[3]

References
  1. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0278". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  2. "Ethyl formate". Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health Concentrations (IDLH). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  3. Sample, Ian (21 April 2009). "Galaxy's centre tastes of raspberries and smells of rum, say astronomers". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  4. "Ethyl Formate". Archived from the original on 2015-04-12. Retrieved 2015-04-11.
  5. "Alternative fumigants: Ethyl Formate". University of California. Archived from the original on 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  6. "Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Ethyl Formate". OSHA. Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  7. CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards Archived 2017-12-19 at the Wayback Machine.
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