What is Methyl Acetate?
Methyl acetate, also known as Methyl ethanoate, is an organic compound composed of a methyl
group and an acetic acid group. The molecular formula of methyl acetate is CH3COOCH3. It
appears as a transparent liquid with a fruity aroma under normal temperature and pressure.
It is slightly soluble in water, miscible in organic solvents such as ether and ethanol, and
has strong volatility and flammability, belongs to Class III dangerous goods.
With the maturity of modern production technology, the demand has become increasingly
diverse, and the types of methyl acetate have become increasingly abundant. According to
differences in uses and chemical properties, methyl acetate can be roughly divided into
pharmaceutical grade methyl acetate, fragrance grade methyl acetate, solvent grade methyl
acetate, etc.
Main Application of Methyl Acetate:
The upstream of the methyl acetate industry chain is mainly the raw material industry, the
midstream is mainly the methyl acetate production industry, which is responsible for the
production and manufacturing of different types of methyl acetate, and the downstream is
mainly the application field. Methyl acetate is mostly used in the production of detergents,
acetic anhydride, coatings, adhesives, foaming agents, extraction solvents and other
products, and plays an important role in daily production activities.
At present, the largest application field of methyl acetate is detergent, accounting for
42.3%, followed by the coating field, accounting for 40.7%, extraction solvent field ranks
third, accounting for 11.4%. In the field of chemical industry, methyl acetate is a very
important chemical raw material and is mostly used to produce chemical products such as
acetamide, acetic anhydride, and methyl acrylate. In the pharmaceutical field, methyl
acetate can be used directly as a pharmaceutical intermediate and is widely used in the
pharmaceutical market. As a new organic solvent with strong solubility, green and
environmental protection, methyl acetate has gradually replaced traditional solvents and its
application fields have gradually expanded.
Unique Product Advantages:
Methyl acetate is miscible with most organic solvents. It has a wide range of dissolving
power and can dissolve acrylic, vinyl, nitrocellulose, epoxy, polyurethane, polyester,
phenolic resin, etc.
It has a higher flash point and higher anti-whitening performance than acetone, and can
better comply with coatings, paint process formulas and user requirements.
In process formulations that require the use of low boiling point volatile organic solvents,
it can replace the application of ethyl ester, acetone, and butanone.
In polyurethane shoe materials, it can replace cyclopentane, chlorofluorocarbons, etc. as an
environmentally friendly foaming agent.
Storage and Handling Precautions:
Storage precautions: Store in a cool, ventilated warehouse. Keep away from fire and heat
sources and keep container tightly sealed. It should be stored separately from oxidants,
acids, and alkalis to avoid chemical reactions.
When operating methyl acetate, the operating area should be ventilated, and ventilation
equipment can be appropriately used to increase air flow. Operators must undergo special
training and strictly abide by operating procedures. Operators must wear self-priming filter
gas masks (half masks), chemical safety glasses, anti-static overalls, and rubber
oil-resistant gloves when handling methyl acetate to avoid direct contact with skin or eyes,
which may cause irritation.
