Methyl Benzoate

DescriptionMethyl benzoate is an organic compound. It is an ester with the chemical formula C6H5CO2CH3. It is a colorless liquid that is poorly soluble in water, but miscible with organic solvents. Methyl benzoate has a pleasant smell, strongly reminiscent of the fruit of the feijoa tree, and it is used in perfumery. It also finds use as a solvent and as a pesticide used to attract insects such as orchid bees.

OccurrenceMethyl benzoate can be isolated from the freshwater fern Salvinia molesta. It is one of many compounds that is attractive to males of various species of orchid bees, which apparently gather the chemical to synthesize pheromones; it is commonly used as bait to attract and collect these bees for study. Cocaine hydrochloride hydrolyzes in moist air to give methyl benzoate; drug - sniffing dogs are thus trained to detect the smell of methyl benzoate.

UsesMethyl benzoate is used in perfumery. It also finds use as a solvent. It acts as an intermediate and odor agents. Further, it is used to attract insects such as orchid bees. It is also used for cellulose esters, cellulose ethers, synthetic resin and rubber solvent and polyester fibers to assist in the preparation of flavor.

General DescriptionA crystalline solid or a solid dissolved in a liquid. Denser than water. Contact may slightly irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be slightly toxic by ingestion. Used to make other chemicals.

PreparationMethyl benzoate is manufactured by heating benzoic acid and dimethyl sulfate to high temperature, or by exchange between ethyl benzoate and methanol in KOH solution. It may also be produced by the alcoholysis of benzonitrile. It is a by-product of ozonolysis of water.