Methylformiat

log Kow = 0.03

-0.21

Agreeable

Pleasant odor.

0.977 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float

0.987 at 15 °C/15 °C

DENSITY OF SATURATED AIR: 1.83 (AIR= 1)

Relative density (water = 1): 0.97

0.98

0.975 @ 20°C

greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)

28.35 kJ/mol at 25 °C

Soluble in ether, chloroform; miscible with ethanol

In water, 230,000 mg/L at 25 °C

Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 30 (good)

30%

-26 °F (NTP, 1992)

-2 °F

-2 °F (-19 °C) (Closed Cup)

-19 °C

-26 °F

-2 °F

88.7 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)

31.5 °C

32 °C

89 °F

31.5 °C @760 [mm Hg]

89 °F

Danger

H224: Extremely flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]

P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P317, P319, P330, P337+P317, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 1.4% (11 of 764) of reports.

Danger

H224 (98.6%): Extremely flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]

Chemical: Formic acid, methyl ester

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 (Repealed by Com. Implementing Reg. (EU) No 872/2012)

Formic acid, methyl ester is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Formic acid, methyl ester are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 07-04-2021 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/2054

Formic acid, methyl ester: HSNO Approval: HSR001192 Approved with controls

The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)

Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)

· HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.

Extremely flammable. Vapour/air mixtures are explosive. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting. Risk of fire and explosion on contact with strong oxidants.

Flammable liquid.

Mixes with water. Flammable, irritating vapor is produced.

Very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame.

Inhalation causes irritation of mucous membranes. Prolonged inhalation can produce narcosis and central nervous symptoms, including some temporary visual disturbance. Contact with liquid irritates eyes and may irritate skin if allowed to remain. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach and central nervous system depression, including visual disturbances. (USCG, 1999)

· May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin.

TLV Basis is CNS impairment, upper respiratory tract irritation, and eye damage. In animal inhalation studies, narcosis, pulmonary edema, and death occur at concentrations in the range of 5000 ppm to 10,000 ppm for one to three hours of exposure. Human volunteers exposed to 100 ppm for 8 hours have increased fatigue. Foundry workers exposed to 36 ppm had no adverse effects. Methyl formate breaks down into methanol and formic acid. Formic acid causes optic neuropathy in cases of methanol poisoning. Exposure to methyl formate at 50 ppm is equivalent to methanol exposure at the TLV. [ACGIH] Intravenous doses of approximately 4g/kg cause significant methemoglobinemia in experimental dogs. [HSDB] No reported cases of toxic pneumonitis in humans; May cause slight skin irritation; [CHEMINFO] A skin and eye irritant that causes CNS effects at high concentrations; [ICSC]

1243 129

1243 129

EPA/Office of Pollution prevention and toxics; High production Volume (HPV) Challenge program's Robust summaries and Test Plans. Availible form: http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/viewsrch.htm on Formates (December 2001) as of July 12, 2005.

European Chemicals Bureau; IUCLID Dataset, Methyl formate (107-31-3) (2000 CD-ROM edition). Available from the database query page: http://ecb.jrc.it/esis/esis.php as of July 12, 2005.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

Use powder, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Rest. Refer for medical attention .

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

General First Aid:

(General first aid procedures)

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

50.0 [ppm]

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish unless flow can be stopped. Use "alcohol" foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Do not use water on material itself.

Water may be ineffective. /Use/ alcohol foam.

1. Remove all ignition sources. 2. Ventilate area of spill or leak. 3. For small quantities, absorb on paper towels. Evaporate in a safe place (such as a fume hood). Allow sufficient time for evaporating vapors to completely clear the hood ductwork. Burn the paper in a suitable location away from combustible materials. Large quantities can be reclaimed or collected and atomized in a suitable combustion chamber.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Methyl formate may be disposed of by atomizing in a suitable combustion chamber.

LC50 Leuciscus idus (Ide) about 120 mg/L/96 hr; static /97.7% pure/

EC50 Daphnia magna (Water flea; immobilization) >500 mg/L/24 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified in source examined/

EC50 Scenedesmus subspicatus (Green algae; cell multiplication inhibition) 240 mg/L/72 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified in source examined/

EC50 Scenedesmus subspicatus (Green algae; cell multiplication inhibition) 190 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified in source examined/

EC50 Pseudomonas putida (aquatic bacteria; cell multiplication inhibition) >10,000 mg/L/17 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified in source examined/

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 25(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 0.03(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that methyl formate is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of methyl formate from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 2.2X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(4). Methyl formate is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 5.9X10+2 mm Hg(5). Methyl formate is expected to undergo hydrolysis in moist soil. A base-catalyzed second-order hydrolysis rate constant of 16 L/mole-sec(SRC) was estimated using a structure estimation method(6); this corresponds to half-lives of 5.1 and 12 days at pH values of 7 and 8, respectively(6).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 25(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 0.03(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that methyl formate is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 2.2X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 5.3 hours and 4.0 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 3.2(SRC), from its log Kow(2) and a regression-derived equation(6), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Hydrolysis is expected to be an important fate process for methyl formate. A base-catalyzed second-order hydrolysis rate constant of 16 L/mole-sec(SRC) was estimated using a structure estimation method(7); this corresponds to half-lives of 5.1 and 12 days at pH values of 7 and 8, respectively(7).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), methyl formate, which has a vapor pressure of 5.9X10+2 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase methyl formate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 71 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.3X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Methyl formate did not undergo direct photolysis when irradiated with UV light >300 nm(4).

Methyl formate was detected in the volatiles of chicken, beef, and pork flavor(1). Methyl formate was identified as a volatile constituent in brewed, roasted, and dried coffee(2). It has also been detected as an aroma substance in apples(3).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, through the skin and by ingestion.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Cough. Shortness of breath. Headache. Drowsiness.

Redness.

Redness. Pain.

Sore throat. Further see Inhalation.

irritation eyes, nose; chest tightness, dyspnea (breathing difficulty); visual disturbance; central nervous system depression; In Animals: pulmonary edema; narcosis

The Koc of methyl formate is estimated as 25(SRC), using a log Kow of 0.03(1)and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that methyl formate is expected to have very high mobility in soil.

Section 8(a) of TSCA requires manufacturers of this chemical substance to report preliminary assessment information concerned with production, exposure, and use to EPA as cited in the preamble in 51 FR 41329.

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. Methyl formate is included on this list.

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Methyl formate is produced, as an intermediate or final product, by process units covered under this subpart.

Methyl formate

1

10000

Flammable chemical that can be released at a facility.

The products of hydrolysis have been found in significant quantity upon incubation of methyl formate with body fluids. Oxidation of the formic acid fraction may be carried out by the liver and striated muscle but not the kidney. No further metabolism of the methanol fraction has been observed in tissue slices.

...Methyl formate may be formed, under the action of alcohol dehydrogenase, in the bodies of animals exposed to formaldehyde and methanol.

Methyl formate is biotransformed via hydrolysis in the body to yield methanol and formic acid.

This ester can be absorbed into body through respiratory and digestive systems and it may also penetrate skin.

Small quantities of the parent compound have been found in the blood of animals killed by methyl formate vapor.

Used as a solvent (cellulose acetate and quick drying finishes), fumigant and larvicide (food and tobacco crops), and chemical intermediate; Also used as a refrigeration solvent, blowing agent for foam insulation, and binding agent in mold cores in iron foundries; [ACGIH]

Molding and Core Making [Category: Foundry]

Smoking cigarettes [Category: Food & Drugs]

For Methyl formate (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 053701) there are 0 labels match. /SRP: Not registered for current use in the U.S., but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

High-boiling refrigerant for house appliances /SRP: Formerly/

Solvent; intermediate for dimethylformamide

2023: 100,000,000 - <500,000,000 lb

Formic acid, methyl ester is listed as a High Production Volume (HPV) chemical (65FR81686). Chemicals listed as HPV were produced in or imported into the U.S. in >1 million pounds in 1990 and/or 1994. The HPV list is based on the 1990 Inventory Update Rule. (IUR) (40 CFR part 710 subpart B; 51FR21438).

(1972) PROBABLY GREATER THAN 4.54X10+5 GRAMS

(1986) > 10 million - 50 million pounds

(1990) > 1 million - 10 million pounds

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for METHYL FORMATE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Reaction of methanol, carbon monoxide, and steam, over a charcoal or sodium methoxide catalyst at 200 degrees C and 200 atmospheres of pressure.

Methyl formate is produced by base-catalyzed carbonylation of methanol.

By heating methanol with sodium formate and hydrochloric acid with subsequent distillation.

All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing

Formic acid, methyl ester: ACTIVE

Areginal: mixture of methyl formate and ethyl formate.

As a general industrial solvent it is often mixed with other esters such as ethyl formate, methyl acetate and ethyl acetate.