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Methyl formate
Methyl formate, also called methyl methanoate, is the methyl ester of formic acid. It is a clear liquid with an ethereal odor, high vapor pressure and low surface tension.
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Production
In the laboratory, methyl formate can be produced by the condensation reaction of methanol and formic acid, as follows:
Industrial methyl formate, however, is usually produced by the combination of methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a strong base:
Uses
Methyl formate is used primarily to manufacture formamide, dimethylformamide, and [[formic acid]. Because of its high vapor pressure, it dries very quickly and thus is used for quick-drying finishes. It is also used as an insecticide and to manufacture certain pharmaceuticals.
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| Structure: | |
O H
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H-C-O-C-H
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H
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| Boiling point: | 89°F (32±1°C) |
| Molecular weight: | 60.05 g/mol |
| CAS registry number: | 107-31-3 |
External links
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details