PROPYL FORMATE Property

Melting point:

-93 °C (lit.)

Boiling point:

80-81 °C (lit.)

Density 

0.904 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

vapor density 

3.03 (vs air)

vapor pressure 

100 mm Hg ( 29.5 °C)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.375(lit.)

FEMA 

2943 | PROPYL FORMATE

Flash point:

25 °F

storage temp. 

Flammables area

solubility 

water: soluble45 part(lit.)

form 

clear liquid

color 

Colorless to Almost colorless

Odor

at 10.00 % in dipropylene glycol. sweet ethereal green rum fruity berry

Odor Type

ethereal

explosive limit

2.4-7.8%(V)

Odor Threshold

0.96ppm

Water Solubility 

22g/L(22 ºC)

JECFA Number

117

Merck 

14,7858

BRN 

1739272

Dielectric constant

7.7199999999999998

Dielectric constant

7.7（19℃）

LogP

0.83

CAS DataBase Reference

110-74-7(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Formic acid, propyl ester (110-74-7)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

F,Xi

Risk Statements 

11-36/37-67

Safety Statements 

9-16-24-33

RIDADR 

UN 1281 3/PG 2

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

LR0175000

Autoignition Temperature

851 °F

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

2915.13.5000

HazardClass 

3

PackingGroup 

II

Toxicity

LD50 orally in rats: 3980 mg/kg, P. M. Jenner et al., Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 2, 327 (1964)

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H225Highly Flammable liquid and vapour

H319Causes serious eye irritation

H335May cause respiratory irritation

H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness

Precautionary statements

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

P233Keep container tightly closed.

P240Ground/bond container and receiving equipment.

P241Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/…/equipment.

P242Use only non-sparking tools.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

PROPYL FORMATE Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

CLEAR COLORLESS LIQUID

Chemical Properties

Propyl formate has a characteristic fruity (rum–plum) odor and a corresponding bittersweet flavor.

Occurrence

Reported found in plum, brandy, apple, black currant, and pineapple.

Uses

Propyl formate was used in the synthesis of the radicals - CH₃CH₂CHOCHO, CH₃CHCH₂OCHO, and CH₂CH₂CH₂OCHO by TiCl₃.H₂O₂ radical-generating method.

Uses

Flavoring.

Definition

ChEBI: Propyl formate is a carboxylic ester.

Preparation

By action of sulfuric acid on a mixture of propyl alcohol, formic acid and sodium formate; also by distilling propyl alcohol with anhydrous formic acid in the presence of sodium formate.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 50 ppm: fruity, green and ethereal with a berry lift.

General Description

A clear colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Flash point 27°F. Slightly soluble in water and less dense than water. Hence floats on water. Vapors are heavier than air.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

PROPYL FORMATES are esters. React with acids to liberate heat along with propanols and formic acid. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by interaction with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing with alkali metals and hydrides.

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk.

Health Hazard

May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. An irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Narcotic in high concentration. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Ignites on contact with potassium-tert-butoxide. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. To fight fire, use alcohol foam. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also ESTERS.

Purification Methods

Distil the formate, then wash it with saturated aqueous NaCl, and with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 in the presence of solid NaCl, dry it with MgSO4 and fractionally distil it. [Beilstein 2 IV 26.]