Butyl formate Property

Melting point:

-91 °C

Boiling point:

106-107 °C (lit.)

Density 

0.892 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.389(lit.)

FEMA 

2196 | BUTYL FORMATE

Flash point:

57 °F

storage temp. 

Flammables area

solubility 

Slightly soluble in water, miscible with alcohol and oils.

form 

Liquid

color 

Clear colorless to yellow

Odor

?Very diffusive, ethereal, Rum-like odor.

explosive limit

1.7-8.2%(V)

Odor Threshold

0.087ppm

Odor Type

fruity

Water Solubility 

SLIGHTLY SOLUBLE

JECFA Number

118

BRN 

1742108

Dielectric constant

2.4（80℃）

LogP

1.30

CAS DataBase Reference

592-84-7(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Formic acid, butyl ester(592-84-7)

EPA Substance Registry System

Formic acid, butyl ester (592-84-7)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

F,Xi

Risk Statements 

11-36/37

Safety Statements 

9-16-24-33

RIDADR 

UN 1128 3/PG 2

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

LQ5500000

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

3

PackingGroup 

II

HS Code 

29151300

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

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.

Butyl formate Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

CLEAR COLORLESS TO YELLOWISH LIQUID

Chemical Properties

Butyl formate has a fruity, plum-like odor and corresponding taste.

Occurrence

Reported found in fresh apple, strawberry fruit, cloudberry, sherry and Parmesan cheese.

Uses

Solvent for nitrocellulose, some types of cel- lulose acetate, many cellulose ethers, many natural and synthetic resins, lacquers, perfumes, organic synthesis (intermediate), flavoring. Occasionally used as a topnote material in green-floral perfume bases. Used in flavor compositions for imitation Fruit (Tutti-frutti ), Rum, Plum, Liquor and other flavors.

Definition

ChEBI: Butyl formate is a formate ester resulting from the formal condensation of formic acid with the hydroxy group of butan-1-ol. Found in apples, strawberries, sherry and Pamesan cheese, it has a fruity, plum-like odour and taste. It has a role as a polar aprotic solvent, a flavouring agent and a fragrance. It is functionally related to a butan-1-ol.

Preparation

By azeotropic distillation of formic acid and n-butyl alcohol with isopropyl formate; by boiling n-butyl alcohol and formamide in the presence on ZnCl, ZnSo4 or HgCl2.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 800 ppb to 6 ppm

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 109, p. 3330, 1987 DOI: 10.1021/ja00245a024

General Description

A clear colorless liquid. Flash point 64°F. Less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Butyl formate 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. Can generate electrostatic charges [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 247].

Hazard

Narcotic and irritating in high concentra- tion. Flammable, dangerous fire risk.

Health Hazard

Exposure can cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat. High concentrations have a narcotic effect.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. Mildly toxic by inhalation. Human systemic effects by inhalation: muscle contractions and spasticity, conjunctiva irritation, and unspecified respiratory changes. An irritant and narcotic in high concentrations. See also ESTERS, nBUTYL ALCOHOL, and FORMIC ACID. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. To fight fire, use alcohol foam, foam, CO2, dry chemical. Incompatible with oxidizing materials. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid and irritating fumes.

Purification Methods

Wash the formate with saturated NaHCO3 solution in the presence of saturated NaCl, until no further reaction occurs, then with saturated NaCl solution, dry (MgSO4), filter and fractionally distil the filtrate. [Beilstein 2 IV 28.]