Ethyl formate

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  • Identifiers

    CAS number
    109-94-4

    Molecular formula
    C3H6O2

    SMILES
    CCOC=O

    Safety labels

    Flammable
    Flammable

    Irritant
    Irritant

    Retention indicies (RI)

    • DB5: 504.0
    • Carbowax: 822.75

  • Odor profile

    Fruity 94.32%
    Ethereal 90.32%
    Rummy 71.15%
    Winey 60.69%
    Green 57.49%
    Sweet 52.13%
    Cognac 51.51%
    Fresh 47.93%
    Sharp 46.99%
    Pungent 46.69%

    Scent© AI

    Odor threshold>

    • Odor Threshold Low: 18.0 [mmHg]. Odor Threshold High: 20.0 [mmHg]. Odor threshold from AIHA

  • Properties

    XLogP3-AA
    0.5

    Molecular weight
    74.08 g/mol

    Vapor pressure est.

    • hPa @ 20°C
    • hPa @ 25°C

    Evaporation rate
    Ultra fast

    Melting point expt.

    • -110 °F (USCG, 1999)
    • -80.5 °C
    • -80 °C
    • -113 °F

    Boiling point

    • 129.6 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
    • 54.5 °C @ 760 MM HG
    • 52.00 to 54.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
    • 52-54 °C
    • 130 °F

    Flash point est.
    -11.31 ˚C

    Flash point expt.

    • -4 °F (USCG, 1999)
    • -20 °C
    • -20 °C (-4 °F) (CLOSED CUP)
    • -20 °C c.c.
    • -4 °F

    Solubility expt.

    • 9 % at 64 °F (NIOSH, 2024)
    • SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 9 PARTS/100 @ 18 °C; MISCIBLE WITH BENZENE
    • SOL IN ALL PROPORTIONS IN ALCOHOL, ETHER; VERY SOL IN ACETONE
    • SOL IN MOST ORGANIC SOLVENTS
    • 88,250 mg/L at 25 °C
    • 88.2 mg/mL at 25 °C
    • Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 10.5
    • Soluble in most fixed oils, propylene glycol, water (with gradual decomposition), slightly soluble in mineral oil. Insoluble in glycerol
    • 1ml in 5ml 50% ethanol (in ethanol)
    • (64 °F): 9%

  • Synonyms

    • ETHYL FORMATE
    • 109-94-4
    • Formic acid, ethyl ester
    • Areginal
    • Ethyl methanoate
    • Formic acid ethyl ester
    • Ethyl formic ester
    • Aethylformiat
    • Formic ether
    • Ethylformiaat
    • Mrowczan etylu
    • Carboxylic acid oxaethane
    • Ethyle (formiate d')
    • Etile (formiato di)
    • Caswell No. 443A
    • Ethyl formate (natural)
    • FEMA No. 2434
    • FEMA Number 2434
    • Ethylester kyseliny mravenci
    • HSDB 943
    • NSC 406578
    • Ethylformic ester
    • formiato de etilo
    • Ethyl ester of formic acid
    • EINECS 203-721-0
    • MFCD00003294
    • EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 043102
    • UNII-0K3E2L5553
    • CHEBI:52342
    • AI3-00407
    • 0K3E2L5553
    • NSC-406578
    • ethylformiat
    • DTXSID6040117
    • Etile(formiato di)
    • Ethyle(formiate d')
    • WLN: VHO2
    • ETHYL FORMATE (USP-RS)
    • ETHYL FORMATE [USP-RS]
    • Ethylformiaat [Dutch]
    • Aethylformiat [German]
    • Mrowczan etylu [Polish]
    • Etile (formiato di) [Italian]
    • Ethyle (formiate d') [French]
    • Ethylester kyseliny mravenci [Czech]
    • UN1190
    • ethyl format
    • EtOCHO
    • HCOOEt
    • HCO2Et
    • Ethyl formate, 97%
    • Formic acid-ethyl ester
    • HCOOC2H5
    • ETHOXYCARBONYL GROUP
    • ETHYL FORMATE [MI]
    • ETHYL FORMATE (DOT)
    • ETHYL FORMATE [FCC]
    • ETHYL FORMATE [FHFI]
    • ETHYL FORMATE [HSDB]
    • CHEMBL44215
    • FEMA NUMBER 2434.
    • FORMIC ACID,ETHYL ESTER
    • Ethyl formate, puriss., 95%
    • DTXCID4020117
    • METHANOIC ACID ETHYL ESTER
    • NSC8828
    • Ethyl formate, analytical standard
    • NSC-8828
    • Ethyl formate, reagent grade, 97%
    • NSC406578
    • STL185644
    • Ethyl formate, >=97%, FCC, FG
    • AKOS009028849
    • Ethyl formate, natural, >=95%, FG
    • UN 1190
    • DB-040890
    • F0053
    • F0085
    • NS00005018
    • EN300-19211
    • Ethyl formate [UN1190] [Flammable liquid]
    • Ethyl formate, SAJ special grade, >=97.0%
    • Q422777
    • InChI=1/C3H6O2/c1-2-5-3-4/h3H,2H2,1H
    • F0001-0209
    • Ethyl formate, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
    • 203-721-0

  • Applications

    Ethyl formate (ethyl methanoate, CAS 109-94-4) is a colorless, fast-evaporating liquid ester with a characteristic rum-raspberry odor that finds wide use: in flavour and fragrance it confers fruity notes to spirits, confectionery, ice cream, beverages, decaffeinated coffee and tobacco and serves as an extraction solvent for essential oils; in agriculture it is a residue-free fumigant against weevils, mites and insect eggs on stored grain, dried fruit and beehives; in coatings, inks, adhesives and nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate or acrylic plastics it acts as a powerful quick-drying solvent producing smooth glossy films; in pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals it is an intermediate for formamide, pesticides and antibacterial agents; additionally the ester is employed for precision cleaning of electronic and aerospace components, as a blowing agent for polyurethane foams and as a penetration enhancer in specialised solvent systems.

  • Solubility @25˚C

    Solvent Solubility (g/L)
    ethanol 142.26
    methanol 252.15
    isopropanol 81.81
    water 14.82
    ethyl acetate 88.56
    n-propanol 87.74
    acetone 174.56
    n-butanol 72.93
    acetonitrile 223.53
    DMF 395.57
    toluene 17.55
    isobutanol 55.24
    1,4-dioxane 164.15
    methyl acetate 131.28
    THF 165.94
    2-butanone 97.63
    n-pentanol 46.88
    sec-butanol 65.48
    n-hexane 5.24
    ethylene glycol 102.05
    NMP 411.56
    cyclohexane 9.43
    DMSO 417.84
    n-butyl acetate 51.23
    n-octanol 28.96
    chloroform 205.84
    n-propyl acetate 43.96
    acetic acid 673.21
    dichloromethane 237.39
    cyclohexanone 156.61
    propylene glycol 71.5
    isopropyl acetate 37.26
    DMAc 240.69
    2-ethoxyethanol 100.59
    isopentanol 51.28
    n-heptane 4.6
    ethyl formate 92.18
    1,2-dichloroethane 127.38
    n-hexanol 39.97
    2-methoxyethanol 223.82
    isobutyl acetate 21.71
    tetrachloromethane 27.68
    n-pentyl acetate 35.89
    transcutol 296.63
    n-heptanol 20.78
    ethylbenzene 12.6
    MIBK 29.65
    2-propoxyethanol 85.13
    tert-butanol 91.17
    MTBE 40.98
    2-butoxyethanol 49.19
    propionic acid 228.36
    o-xylene 20.13
    formic acid 356.61
    diethyl ether 42.72
    m-xylene 13.9
    p-xylene 21.35
    chlorobenzene 62.69
    dimethyl carbonate 39.08
    n-octane 2.29
    formamide 373.63
    cyclopentanone 193.55
    2-pentanone 63.31
    anisole 44.53
    cyclopentyl methyl ether 56.18
    gamma-butyrolactone 318.05
    1-methoxy-2-propanol 118.55
    pyridine 176.63
    3-pentanone 49.83
    furfural 338.88
    n-dodecane 2.63
    diethylene glycol 107.88
    diisopropyl ether 9.53
    tert-amyl alcohol 72.32
    acetylacetone 95.81
    n-hexadecane 2.91
    acetophenone 55.71
    methyl propionate 77.07
    isopentyl acetate 41.76
    trichloroethylene 285.76
    n-nonanol 25.04
    cyclohexanol 67.19
    benzyl alcohol 50.37
    2-ethylhexanol 25.79
    isooctanol 17.18
    dipropyl ether 21.65
    1,2-dichlorobenzene 70.89
    ethyl lactate 37.32
    propylene carbonate 136.53
    n-methylformamide 240.59
    2-pentanol 37.56
    n-pentane 4.93
    1-propoxy-2-propanol 56.03
    1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate 51.31
    2-(2-methoxypropoxy) propanol 80.53
    mesitylene 11.11
    ε-caprolactone 149.84
    p-cymene 14.38
    epichlorohydrin 207.72
    1,1,1-trichloroethane 92.05
    2-aminoethanol 122.55
    morpholine-4-carbaldehyde 302.61
    sulfolane 371.83
    2,2,4-trimethylpentane 3.76
    2-methyltetrahydrofuran 116.68
    n-hexyl acetate 59.27
    isooctane 2.14
    2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol 98.47
    sec-butyl acetate 23.89
    tert-butyl acetate 39.81
    decalin 5.71
    glycerin 126.92
    diglyme 153.26
    acrylic acid 303.45
    isopropyl myristate 21.8
    n-butyric acid 178.61
    acetyl acetate 85.13
    di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 33.27
    ethyl propionate 42.36
    nitromethane 702.28
    1,2-diethoxyethane 59.34
    benzonitrile 92.24
    trioctyl phosphate 21.35
    1-bromopropane 46.45
    gamma-valerolactone 271.42
    n-decanol 19.1
    triethyl phosphate 26.96
    4-methyl-2-pentanol 19.97
    propionitrile 113.3
    vinylene carbonate 150.45
    1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane 231.62
    DMS 68.14
    cumene 12.62
    2-octanol 16.7
    2-hexanone 42.14
    octyl acetate 30.91
    limonene 21.47
    1,2-dimethoxyethane 134.96
    ethyl orthosilicate 22.86
    tributyl phosphate 29.91
    diacetone alcohol 68.6
    N,N-dimethylaniline 36.03
    acrylonitrile 210.5
    aniline 56.58
    1,3-propanediol 132.92
    bromobenzene 50.72
    dibromomethane 122.35
    1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 183.06
    2-methyl-cyclohexyl acetate 37.4
    tetrabutyl urea 41.74
    diisobutyl methanol 15.61
    2-phenylethanol 42.74
    styrene 19.57
    dioctyl adipate 44.15
    dimethyl sulfate 96.18
    ethyl butyrate 40.08
    methyl lactate 70.27
    butyl lactate 42.21
    diethyl carbonate 33.2
    propanediol butyl ether 69.44
    triethyl orthoformate 28.7
    p-tert-butyltoluene 13.25
    methyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate 57.33
    morpholine 195.13
    tert-butylamine 47.98
    n-dodecanol 15.13
    dimethoxymethane 88.24
    ethylene carbonate 97.81
    cyrene 81.49
    2-ethoxyethyl acetate 60.07
    2-ethylhexyl acetate 33.02
    1,2,4-trichlorobenzene 89.71
    4-methylpyridine 115.63
    dibutyl ether 26.25
    2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol 15.61
    DEF 115.47
    dimethyl isosorbide 116.13
    tetrachloroethylene 143.61
    eugenol 65.39
    triacetin 81.31
    span 80 77.89
    1,4-butanediol 50.04
    1,1-dichloroethane 103.0
    2-methyl-1-pentanol 39.78
    methyl formate 159.7
    2-methyl-1-butanol 51.65
    n-decane 3.78
    butyronitrile 85.18
    3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol 28.64
    1-chlorooctane 15.8
    1-chlorotetradecane 7.78
    n-nonane 3.55
    undecane 3.03
    tert-butylcyclohexane 5.03
    cyclooctane 2.79
    cyclopentanol 98.79
    tetrahydropyran 102.99
    tert-amyl methyl ether 34.82
    2,5,8-trioxanonane 131.68
    1-hexene 17.65
    2-isopropoxyethanol 54.19
    2,2,2-trifluoroethanol 211.27
    methyl butyrate 64.0

    Scent© AI

1 4

IFRA standard 51

Recommendation
No restriction
Maximum acceptable concentrations in the finished product (%)
Category 1
Products applied to the lips
 No restriction Category 7A
Rinse-off products applied to the hair with some hand contact
 No restriction
Category 2
Products applied to the axillae
 No restriction Category 7B
Leave-on products applied to the hair with some hand contact
 No restriction
Category 3
Products applied to the face/body using fingertips
 No restriction Category 8
Products with significant anogenital exposure
 No restriction
Category 4
Products related to fine fragrance
 No restriction Category 9
Products with body and hand exposure, primarily rinse off
 No restriction
Category 5A
Body lotion products applied to the body using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 10A
Household care products with mostly hand contact
 No restriction
Category 5B
Face moisturizer products applied to the face using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 10B
Household care products with mostly hand contact, including aerosol/spray products (with potential leave-on skin contact)
 No restriction
Category 5C
Hand cream products applied to the hands using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 11A
Products with intended skin contact but minimal transfer of fragrance to skin from inert substrate without UV exposure
 No restriction
Category 5D
Baby Creams, baby Oils and baby talc
 No restriction Category 11B
Products with intended skin contact but minimal transfer of fragrance to skin from inert substrate with potential UV exposure
 No restriction
Category 6
Products with oral and lip exposure
 No restriction Category 12
Products not intended for direct skin contact, minimal or insignificant transfer to skin
 No restriction

Botanical

Name CAS Botanical Proportion
Genet absolute 1 8023-80-1 Spartium junceum L., fam. Leguminosae (Papilionaceae) 0.05%
Apple flower Malus arnoldiana (Rehd) Sarg. var. Redgold, fam. Rosaceae 0.01%
Erigeron canadensis Erigeron canadensis L. (Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist), fam. Asteraceae 0.01%
Styrax (China) 8024-01-9 Liquidamber formosana Hance, fam. Hamamelidaceae 0.37%
Jasmine (China) 1 8022-96-6 Jasminum officinale var. grandiflorum L., fam. Oleaceae 0.01%
Fagraea berteriana flower Fagraea berteriana A. Gray ex Benth., fam. Potaliaceae 0.65%
Cordia nitida fruit Cordia nitida Vahl., fam. Borraginaceae 1.8%