Methyl Acetate
Methyl Acetate is a colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid with a pleasant, fruity odor. It is an ester formed from methanol and acetic acid and is widely used as a solvent in coatings, adhesives, inks, and cleaning products. Known for its excellent solvency power and fast evaporation rate, methyl acetate is preferred in industrial and commercial applications where quick drying is essential.
Methyl Acetate
Primary Uses
- Coatings and Paints
- Used as a solvent in lacquers, varnishes, and automotive and industrial coatings.
- Facilitates fast drying and smooth film formation.
- Adhesives and Sealants
- Solvent in adhesive formulations, especially for pressure-sensitive adhesives and contact cements.
- Printing Inks
- Serves as a solvent for inks, enhancing flow properties and drying speed.
- Cleaning Products
- Utilized in industrial and household cleaners and degreasers for efficient removal of oils and greases.
Secondary Uses
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Used as a solvent or intermediate in drug manufacturing processes.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care
- Occasionally used as a solvent in perfumes and nail polish removers.
- Laboratory Reagent
- Applied in chemical synthesis and analytical laboratories as a solvent.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Methyl acetate
- Common/Trade Name: Methyl Acetate
- CAS Number: 79-20-9
- HS Code: 2915.31.00
- Synonyms: Acetic acid methyl ester; methyl ethanoate
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Liquid
- Color & Odor: Colorless; pleasant fruity odor
- Boiling Point: 56°C
- Melting Point: -98°C
- Flash Point: -1°C (closed cup)
- Density: 0.932 g/cm³ at 20°C
- Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; miscible with most organic solvents
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification: Flammable liquid, Category 2
- Toxicity: Low to moderate toxicity; avoid ingestion and prolonged skin contact
- Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL - 610 mg/m³ (200 ppm); ACGIH TLV - 200 ppm
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from ignition sources and incompatible materials
- Container Type: Supplied in metal drums, plastic containers, or bulk tanks suitable for flammable liquids
- Shelf Life: Stable under proper storage conditions for several years
- Handling Precautions: Use flame-proof equipment; avoid inhalation and skin contact; wear appropriate PPE
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Complies with international chemical safety standards and regulations (e.g., REACH, OSHA)
- Listed on major chemical inventories worldwide
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable
- Ecotoxicity: Low environmental impact when used as directed
- Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and flame-resistant clothing recommended
- Handling Guidelines: Use in well-ventilated areas; prevent vapor accumulation; ground and bond containers during transfer
- Storage Measures: Keep containers tightly closed and away from incompatible substances
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if breathing difficulties occur
- Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention if irritation persists
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical assistance
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
- Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide extinguishers
- Special Precautions: Evacuate area; wear full protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus
- Hazardous Combustion Products: May produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other toxic gases under fire conditions
Related products
Acetone
Acetone (chemical formula CH₃COCH₃) is the simplest and most widely used ketone, appearing as a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic sweet, pungent odor. Industrial Grade Acetone is manufactured with a minimum purity of 99.5%, offering aggressive solvent power, rapid evaporation rate, and complete miscibility with water and most organic solvents. Its combination of high solvency, low toxicity relative to other industrial solvents, and favorable regulatory status makes it an indispensable chemical in manufacturing, cleaning, and formulation processes across numerous heavy industries.
Butyl Glycol
Butyl Glycol, also known as 2-Butoxyethanol, is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild, sweet ether-like odor. It is an organic solvent classified as a glycol ether, with the molecular formula C6H14O2. Butyl Glycol is highly miscible with water, alcohols, and many organic solvents. It is widely used in industrial and commercial applications due to its excellent solvent properties, low volatility, and moderate toxicity. Its high solvency and compatibility with both aqueous and organic phases make it valuable in coatings, cleaning products, inks, and adhesives.
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Disulfide (CS₂) is a volatile, flammable, and highly toxic organic solvent composed of carbon and sulfur. At 99% purity, it is a clear to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, sweet, ether-like odor. Carbon Disulfide is produced primarily by the reaction of carbon (charcoal) with sulfur vapors at high temperatures. Due to its excellent solvent properties and reactivity, it is used across multiple industries, including the production of rayon, cellophane, rubber chemicals, and pesticides. Despite its utility, Carbon Disulfide requires careful handling because of its toxicity, flammability, and environmental hazards.
Di Acetone Alcohol
Di Acetone Alcohol (chemical name: 4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one) is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild acetone-like odor. It is a versatile organic solvent and intermediate widely used in the manufacture of coatings, adhesives, inks, and specialty chemicals. Di Acetone Alcohol exhibits excellent solvency for resins, oils, and fats, combined with moderate evaporation rate and low volatility compared to acetone, making it suitable for controlled drying applications. It also serves as a chemical intermediate in synthesis reactions and as a component in solvent blends to optimize performance and drying characteristics.
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, also known as 2-Ethoxyethanol or Ethyl Cellosolve, is a clear, colorless, and hygroscopic liquid with moderate volatility and excellent solvency. It belongs to the glycol ether family and is widely used as a solvent and coalescing agent due to its ability to dissolve both polar and non-polar compounds. It is miscible with water and many organic solvents and has a moderate boiling point (~135°C). It finds extensive applications across coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaners, and chemical synthesis industries.
Glacial Acetic Acid Tech grade
Glacial Acetic Acid Tech grade is a clear, colorless liquid with a pungent vinegar-like odor. It is a less refined form of acetic acid primarily used for industrial and technical applications rather than food or pharmaceutical uses. Typically available in concentrations ranging from 80% to glacial (99-100%), it serves as a crucial chemical reagent, solvent, and intermediate in various industrial processes.
Ink reducer (Ethanol)
Ink reducer (Ethanol) is a volatile, colorless liquid used to adjust the viscosity, flow, and drying time of printing inks. Composed primarily of high-purity ethanol (ethyl alcohol), it acts as a solvent or diluent in various ink systems—particularly in flexographic, gravure, and screen printing. This reducer enhances printability by improving ink transfer, leveling, and penetration into substrates. Ink reducers based on ethanol are fast-drying and widely compatible with alcohol-soluble and water-alcohol hybrid inks used in packaging, label printing, and paper conversion industries.
N propyl Acetate
N propyl Acetate is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid ester with a fruity odor, chemically known as propyl ethanoate. It is widely used as a solvent in coatings, inks, adhesives, and cleaning agents due to its excellent solvency and moderate evaporation rate. N-Propyl Acetate is valued for its ability to dissolve various resins and polymers, providing good film formation and gloss in paints and coatings.

Preservatives(food)
Flavor Enhancers
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
Biochemical Reagents
Inorganic and Organic Standards
Laboratory Safety Chemicals
Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
Demulsifiers
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Scale Inhibitors(oil)
Surfactants(oil)
Drilling Fluids
Dyes and Pigments
Bleaching Agents
Softening Agents
Finishing Agents
Antistatic Agents
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
Fragrances
Electronic Chemicals
Catalysts
Lubricants
Photographic Chemicals
Refrigerants
Automotive chemicals
Pyrotechnic Chemicals
Biodegradable Surfactants
Bio-based Solvents
Renewable Polymers
Carbon Capture Chemicals
Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Pigments
Solvents(paint)
Specialty Coatings
Binders/Resins
Additives
Driers
Anti-Corrosion Agents
Functional Coatings
Application-Specific Coatings
Leavening Agents
Dough Conditioners
Flour Treatments
Fat Replacers
Decoratives
Preservatives(baking)
Plasticizers & Softeners
Reinforcing Agents
Adhesion Promoters
Vulcanizing Agents
Antidegradants
Blowing Agents
Fillers & Extenders
Accelerators & Retarders