Methyl lactate Chemical Properties

Melting point:

-66°C

Boiling point:

35 °C (6 mmHg)

alpha 

[α]D20+1.410～+1.418

Density 

1.093 g/mL at 20 °C(lit.)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.413

Flash point:

49 °C

storage temp. 

Flammables area

form 

Liquid

pka

13.07±0.20(Predicted)

color 

Clear colorless to pale yellow

Specific Gravity

1.09

Water Solubility 

miscible, hydrolyses

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

Merck 

14,6094

BRN 

1720586

InChIKey

LPEKGGXMPWTOCB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

LogP

-0.670 (est)

CAS DataBase Reference

547-64-8(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, methyl ester(547-64-8)

EPA Substance Registry System

Methyl lactate (547-64-8)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

Xi

Risk Statements 

10-36/37

Safety Statements 

24-24/25

RIDADR 

UN 3272 3/PG 3

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

OD5670000

F 

21

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

3.2

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

29181100

Hazardous Substances Data

547-64-8(Hazardous Substances Data)

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:ACROS
• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich

Methyl lactate Usage And Synthesis

Description

Methyl lactate is a compound with many uses. It can be used as a solvent, as a starting material for the manufacture of polyiactic acid, or as a starting material for numerous other reactions. For example, it can be used as intermediate in lactic acid purification, and as building block in the synthesis of chiral components, e.g., pesticides, and as a starting material for lactide manufacture.

Chemical Properties

Methyl lactate is a colorless transparent liquid. It is soluble/miscible in water, acetone, ethyl alcohol, and other organic solvents. It is used as a cellulose acetate solvent.

Uses

Methyl lactate is used as a solvent for nitrocellulose, cellulase acetate, cellulase acetobutyrote and cellulase acetaprapionate. It is used in the manufacture of lacquers and dopes where it contributes high tolerance for diluents, good flaw and blush resistance.

Application

One important use of methyl lactate is use in the manufacture of methyl acrylate, which is a starting material for the manufacture of acrylate polymers. Additionally methyl acrylate is a suitable starting material for acrylic acid and other esters like ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate.

Preparation

Bringing an aqueous liquid comprising lactic acid, methanol, and at least 5 wt.% of a dissolved chloride salt selected from magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and zinc chloride to reaction conditions, thereby obtaining methyl lactate, wherein an extractant is provided to the reaction mixture before, during, and/or after formation of methyl lactate,Subjecting the reaction mixture to a liquid-liquid separation step wherein an organic phase comprising methyl lactate and extractant is separated from an aqueous phase comprising dissolved chloride salt.The wt.% is calculated on the weight of the aqueous liquid. It has been found that the process according to the invention makes it possible to manufacture methyl lactate efficiently and in high yield. 

Definition

ChEBI: Methyl lactate is a lactate ester resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxy group of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid with methanol. It has a role as a metabolite. It is a lactate ester and a methyl ester.

Hazard

Moderate fire risk.

Safety Profile

Methyl lactate has been classed as non-irritant to the eyes of guinea pigs.
The estimated average lethal dose for the female rat following i.p. injection of methyl lactate was >2000 mg/kg body weight. Observations included narcosis, respiratory distress and peritoneal adhesions. The estimated non toxic dose and estimated maximum dose without gross lesions at necropsy was 500 mg/kg body weight.

Synthesis

Methyl lactate is prepared by the esterification of methyl alcohol with lactic acid.

Purification Methods

Methyl lactate is easily hydrolyzed and often contains impurities such as free lactic acid, methanol and water. Free acid can be removed by washing after neutralization with alkali. Moisture can be removed by azeotropic distillation of an azeotropic mixture with benzene. Then, it was purified by distillation under reduced pressure. Since calcium chloride and the like form molecular compounds with methyl lactate, they cannot be used as desiccants. When the methyl lactate is mixed with water, it can be extracted and recovered with benzene, ether, etc.

Methyl lactate(547-64-8)Related Product Information

• CHLOROPHOSPHONAZO III
• Glycolic acid
• Methyl levulinate
• Methyl propionate
• Lactic acid
• Bensulfuron methyl
• Benyl propionic methyl ester
• EC 1.1.1.28
• Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, homopolymer
• Methyl formate
• Methyl 2-bromopropionate
• Kresoxim-methyl
• Methylparaben
• Calcium lactate
• Sodium lactate
• Methyl 3-bromopropionate
• Methyl acrylate
• HYDROXYAPATITE TYPE I