Methyl Propionate

Product Name:

Methyl propionate

CAS:

554-12-1

MF:

C4H8O2

MW:

88.11

EINECS:

209-060-4

Mol File:

554-12-1.mol

Melting point 

-88 °C

Boiling point 

79 °C(lit.)

density 

0.915 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)

vapor density 

3 (vs air)

vapor pressure 

40 mm Hg ( 11 °C)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.376(lit.)

FEMA 

2742 | METHYL PROPIONATE

Fp 

43 °F

storage temp. 

Flammables area

solubility 

H2O: soluble16 parts

form 

Liquid

color 

Clear colorless

explosive limit

2.5-13%(V)

Water Solubility 

5 g/100 mL at 20 ºC

JECFA Number

141

Merck 

14,6112

BRN 

1737628

Stability:

Stable. Highly flammable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, acids, bases. Readily forms explosive mixtures with air. Moisture sensitive.

CAS DataBase Reference

554-12-1(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Propanoic acid, methyl ester(554-12-1)

EPA Substance Registry System

Methyl propionate (554-12-1)

Hazard Codes 

F,Xn

Risk Statements 

11-20-2017/11/20

Safety Statements 

16-24-29-33

RIDADR 

UN 1248 3/PG 2

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

UF5970000

Autoignition Temperature

876 °F

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

2915 50 00

HazardClass 

3

PackingGroup 

II

Hazardous Substances Data

554-12-1(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

LD50 orally in Rabbit: 5000 mg/kg

Uses

Methyl propionate is used as a solvent for cellulose nitrate and lacquers, and as a raw material for the production of paints, varnishes and other chemicals such as methyl methacrylate.
Due to its fruity smell and taste, it is also used in fragrances and flavoring.

Uses

In organic synthesis.

Preparation

Methyl propionate can be prepared by esterification of propionic acid with methanol. Industrially, it is prepared by the reaction of ethylene with carbon monoxide and methanol in the presence of nickel carbonyl.

Production Methods

Methyl propionate is produced by the direct esterification of propionic acid with methanol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid .

Production Methods

Methyl propionate is produced by the direct esterification of propionic acid with methanol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 100 ppb to 8.8 ppm

General Description

A clear colorless liquid. Flash point 28°F. Density about the same as water. Vapors heavier than air. May irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Used for flavoring and as a solvent.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Methyl propionate reacts 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 with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated with alkali metals and hydrides.

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk, explosivelimits in air 2.5–13%.

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. Mildly toxic by inhalation. A skin irritant. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. To fight fire, use foam, CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Chemical Synthesis

By direct esterification of the acid with methanol in the presence of concentrated H2SO4

Potential Exposure

Used as a solvent; and in making paints, lacquers, and varnishes. Also used in flavorings and fragrances

Shipping

UN1248 Methyl propionate, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid.

Purification Methods

Wash the ester with saturated aqueous NaCl, then dry it with Na2CO3 and distil it from P2O5. (This removes any free acid and alcohol.) It has also been dried with anhydrous CuSO4. [Beilstein 2 IV 104.]

Incompatibilities

May form explosive mixture with air. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. Keep away from heat and moisture.

Raw materials

Propionic acid

Preparation Products

Metalaxyl-->Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate)-->Ramipril-->N-Benzyl-4-piperidone-->1-BENZYL-4-HYDROXY-4-(3-TRIFLUOROTOLYL)PIPERIDINOL-->Procymidone-->Methyl 1-benzyl-4-oxo-3-piperidine-carboxylate hydrochloride-->Benalaxyl-->efficient polymer catalyst for acrylation-synthesis and characterigation of polyamide containing supernucleophilic reagent-->CYANOACRYLIC ACID METHYL ESTER-->Ethyl 2-chloropropionate-->hydrazide-->4-Amino-6-chloropyrimidine-->CARBETAMIDE-->BORONAL-->Methyl 3-methylthiopropionate-->DICLOFOP-METHYL-->CIS-1,2-DIMETHYL-CYCLOPROPANEDICARBOXYLIC ACID DIMETHYL ESTER-->Disperse Red 127