Methyl Acetate Formula: Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) has the chemical formula CH3COOH. What happens if you replace the hydrogen connected to the oxygen of the –OH group with a methyl group (CH3)? You will, certainly, get CH3COOCH3. What is the chemical name for this substance? What is its functional group? It is also known as methyl acetate. It is a member of the ester functional group.

In this article, Methyl acetate formula, you will learn about the structure, formula, IUPAC nomenclature, characteristics, and applications of methyl acetate.

In the article, Methyl acetate formula you will explore the structure, formula, IUPAC name, properties and uses of methyl acetate in detail.

What is Methyl Acetate?

Methyl acetate is a carboxylate ester. Methyl acetate is also called acetic acid methyl ester as it is derived from acetic acid.

What is the Chemical Formula of Methyl Acetate?

The chemical formula of methyl acetate is \({\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOC}}{{\rm{H}}_3}.\) IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) name of methyl acetate is Methyl ethanoate. 

What is the Functional Group of Methyl Acetate?

Methyl acetate is a carboxylate ester. The functional group of methyl acetate is an ester. Esters are derived from organic or inorganic acid by replacing at least one hydroxyl group \(\left( {{\rm{ – OH}}} \right)\) by an alkoxy group \(\left( {{\rm{ – O – }}} \right).\)

Esters have a characteristic odour; hence lower molecular weight esters like methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, etc., are used in the perfume industry.

Structure of Methyl Acetate

Methyl acetate contains \(10\) sigma \(\left( \sigma \right)\) bonds and one pi \(\left( \pi \right)\) bond. The bond angle of the \({\rm{C – C – O}}\) bond of carbonyl carbon is \({\rm{111}}{\rm{.}}{{\rm{2}}^{\rm{o}}},\) and the \({\rm{O – C – O}}\) bond of carbonyl carbon is also \({{\rm{123}}{\rm{.}}{{\rm{2}}^{\rm{o}}}.}\) The ester function group in methyl acetate is flexible and rotates around the \({\rm{C – O – C}}\) bond. This flexibility imparts a less rigid nature and more volatile nature to the methyl acetate.

What are the Properties of Methyl acetate?

Physical Properties of methyl acetate are:

1. It is a colourless liquid with a pleasant or fruity smell.
2. It is a flammable liquid.
3. It is weakly polar and lipophilic (dissolve in fats, oil, lipid or non-polar solvents) in nature.
4. Its solubility is about \({\rm{25\% }}\) in water at room temperature, and solubility increases with temperature.
5. It is unstable in the presence of strong alkali or aqueous acidic solutions.
6. Its melting point is \({\rm{ – 98}}\,^\circ {\rm{C}},\) and its boiling point is \({\rm{56}}.{\rm{9}}\,^\circ {\rm{C}}.\)
7. Its density is \(0.932\, {\rm{gc}}{{\rm{m}}^{ – 3}}.\)
8. Its molar mass is \(74.079\, {\rm{gmo}}{{\rm{l}}^{ – 1}}.\)

Preparation of Methyl Acetate

Methyl acetate is produced by heating methanol (methyl alcohol) with the acetic acid in the presence of sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid acts as a catalyst. This process is called esterification.

\({\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOH}} + {\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{OH}} + {{\rm{H}}^ + } \leftrightarrow {\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOC}}{{\rm{H}}_3} + {{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}\)

Reactions of Methyl Acetate

1. Acid hydrolysis of methyl acetate gives ethanoic acid (acetic acid) and methanol (methyl alcohol). During this process, acid acts as a catalyst.

2. Saponification of methyl acetate gives sodium ethanoate (sodium acetate) and methanol (methyl alcohol).

\({\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOC}}{{\rm{H}}_3} + {\rm{NaOH}} \to {\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^ – }{\rm{N}}{{\rm{a}}^ + } + {\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{OH}}\)

3. Carbonylation of methyl acetate under high pressure (\(50\) atm) and temperature \(\left( {{\rm{19}}{{\rm{0}}^{\rm{o}}}{\rm{C}}} \right)\) gives acetic anhydride (ethanoic anhydride). Acetic anhydride is used for the preparation of perfumes, drugs, dyes, plastics, explosives, etc. This reaction takes place in the presence of a catalyst. 

\({\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOC}}{{\rm{H}}_3} + {\rm{CO}} \to {\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{CO}}} \right)_2}{\rm{O}}\)

What are the Uses of Methyl Acetate?

Following are some of the uses of methyl acetate:

1. Due to its pleasant smell, it is used as a flavouring agent in food additives for whisky, rum, etc.
2. It is used for coating, i.e., motor vehicle coating, furniture coating, industrial coating, etc.
3. It is used in cleaning products, personal care, and cosmetic products. 
4. It is used as a solvent in glue, paint, nail polish removers, etc.
5. It is also used as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of some chemicals like methyl cyanoacetate, phenyl acetone, etc.
6. In the preparation of cellulose adhesives and perfumes, methyl acetate is used as an intermediate.

How do Handle Methyl Acetate?

Methyl acetate is a flammable liquid, and its boiling point is comparatively low \(\left( {{\rm{56}}.{\rm{9}}\,^\circ {\rm{C}}} \right).\) Therefore, it should be preserved in the closed bottle and kept away from moisture, acidic vapours, and bases. It should be placed in cool places. Methyl acetates possess little toxicity and a mild skin irritant nature; hence handle with care.

Summary

You learned about a simple ester, such as methyl acetate, in this article Methyl ethanoate. The chemical formula, structure, IUPAC nomenclature, functional group, qualities, usage, and handling of methyl acetate, among other things, are all described in great depth. This knowledge can be used for other forms of esters, such as ethyl acetate.

FAQs on Methyl Acetate Formula

Q.1. What is methyl acetate?
Ans: Methyl acetate is a carboxylate ester. Its chemical formula is \({\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOC}}{{\rm{H}}_3}.\) Methyl acetate is also called acetic acid methyl ester. IUPAC name of methyl acetate is Methyl ethanoate.

Q.2. What is the formula of methyl acetate?
Ans: The formula of methyl acetate is \({\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOC}}{{\rm{H}}_3}.\) Its IUPAC name is Methyl ethanoate.

Q.3. What are the uses of methyl acetate?
Ans: Following are some of the uses of methyl acetate.
1. Due to its pleasant smell, it is used as a flavouring agent in food additives for whisky, rum, etc.
2. It is used for coating, i.e., motor vehicle coating, furniture coating, industrial coating, etc.
3. It is used in cleaning products, personal care, and cosmetic products.
4. It is used as a solvent in glue, paint, nail polish removers, etc.
5. It is also used as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of some chemicals like methyl cyanoacetate, phenyl acetone, etc.
6. In the preparation of cellulose adhesives and perfumes, methyl acetate is used as an intermediate.

Q.4. What is the functional group of methyl acetate?
Ans: Methyl acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COOC}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}} \right)\) is a carboxylate ester. The functional group of methyl acetate is an ester. Ester is represented as \({\rm{RCOOR’}}{\rm{.}}\) Esters are derived from carboxylic acids.

Q.5. Which is better, acetone or methyl acetate?
Ans: Acetone is a ketone with the chemical formula \({{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COC}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}.}\) Methyl acetate is an ester with the chemical formula \({{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COOC}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}.}\) Methyl acetate is hydrophobic compared to acetone. It is a biodegradable and volatile compound; hence methyl acetate is better than acetone.

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