Methyl hexanoate Property

Melting point:

-71 °C (lit.)

Boiling point:

151 °C (lit.)

Density 

0.885 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

vapor pressure 

3.7 hPa (20 °C)

FEMA 

2708 | METHYL HEXANOATE

refractive index 

n20/D 1.405

Flash point:

113 °F

storage temp. 

Store below +30°C.

solubility 

chloroform: soluble100mg/mL, clear

form 

Liquid

color 

Colorless

Odor

at 100.00 %. ethereal fruity pineapple apricot strawberry tropical fruit banana bacon

Odor Type

fruity

Water Solubility 

1.325g/L(20 ºC)

JECFA Number

1871

BRN 

1744683

Dielectric constant

4.7000000000000002

Stability:

Stable. Flammable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong bases.

LogP

2.34

CAS DataBase Reference

106-70-7(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Hexanoic acid, methyl ester(106-70-7)

EPA Substance Registry System

Methyl hexanoate (106-70-7)

Safety

Risk Statements 

10

Safety Statements 

43-16-36/37/39-7

RIDADR 

UN 3272 3/PG 3

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

MO8401400

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

3

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

29159080

Toxicity

LD50 orally in Rabbit: > 5000 mg/kg

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Warning

Hazard statements

H226Flammable liquid and vapour

Precautionary statements

P210Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking.

Methyl hexanoate Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Description

Methyl hexanoate is the methyl ester form of hexanoate with fruity type odor and flavor. It is formed by the esterification between methanol and hexanoate. It can be found in many sources such as wine grapes, melon, raspberry, blackberry, plum, quince, apple brandy, wines, Bourbon vanilla, coffee, black tea, potato, tomato, cheeses, rye bread, meats and other foodstuffs. Its major application is used as cosmetic, flavor and fragrance agents.

References

Arora, D. K., A. P. Hansen, and M. S. Armagost. "Sorption of flavor compounds by low density polyethylene film." Journal of food science 56.5 (1991): 1421-1423.
Wohlfarth, Ch. "Refractive index of methyl hexanoate." Refractive Indices of Pure Liquids and Binary Liquid Mixtures (Supplement to III/38). Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2008. 414-414.
Glaude, Pierre Alexandre, et al. "Modeling of the oxidation of methyl esters—Validation for methyl hexanoate, methyl heptanoate, and methyl decanoate in a jet-stirred reactor." Combustion and flame 157.11 (2010): 2035-2050.

Description

Methyl hexanoate has an ether-like odor reminiscent of pineapple. May be prepared by reacting methyl alcohol with hexanoic acid at 130 - 140°C in the presence of concentrated H2S04 and distilling the ester from the reaction mixture.

Chemical Properties

Methyl hexanoate has an ether-like odor reminiscent of pineapple

Chemical Properties

colourless liquid

Occurrence

Reported found in pineapple, apple, apricot, orange juice, black currants, guava, grapes, melon, papaya, pineapple, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, potato, tomato, pepper, rye bread, cheeses, butter, milk, beef mutton, hop oil, beer, grape wine, cider, coffee, tea, honey, cloudberry, durian (Durio zibethinus), olive, passion fruit, plumcot, mushroom, starfruit, mango, wood apple, licorice, soursop, cashew apple, wort, cherimoya, kiwifruit, babaco fruit (Carica pentagona Heilborn), Bourbon vanilla, mountain papaya, oyster, custard apple, nectarine, naranjilla, lamb’s lettuce, loganberry, cape gooseberry, spineless monkey orange, Chinese quince and pawpaw.

Uses

Intermediate for caproic acid detergents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, stabilizers, resins, lubricants, plasticizers, flavoring.

Preparation

By reacting methyl alcohol with hexanoic acid at 130 to 140°C in the presence of concentrated H2SO4 and distilling the ester from the reaction mixture

Definition

ChEBI: A fatty acid methyl ester derived from hexanoic (caproic acid).

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 10 to 87 ppb

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron, 35, p. 2169, 1979 DOI: 10.1016/0040-4020(79)87035-0
Tetrahedron Letters, 30, p. 2945, 1989 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)99165-2

General Description

Clear colorless liquid.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Methyl hexanoate is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. Methyl hexanoate reacts with strong oxidizing agents and strong bases.

Fire Hazard

Methyl hexanoate is combustible.

Flammability and Explosibility

Flammable

Synthesis

Methyl caproate is synthesized by direct esterification of n-Caproic (n-Hexanoic) acid with Methanol, preferably under azeotropic conditions.

Purification Methods

Pass it through alumina and distil it before use. [Beilstein 2 IV 921.]