Methyl formate

• Formula: C₂H₄O₂
• Molecular weight: 60.0520
• IUPAC Standard InChI: InChI=1S/C2H4O2/c1-4-2-3/h2H,1H3 Copy

  
• IUPAC Standard InChIKey: TZIHFWKZFHZASV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copy
• CAS Registry Number: 107-31-3
• Chemical structure:
  This structure is also available as a 2d Mol file or as a computed 3d SD file
  The 3d structure may be viewed using Java or Javascript.
• Other names: Formic acid, methyl ester; Methyl methanoate; HCOOCH3; Formiate de methyle; Methylester kyseliny mravenci; Methylformiaat; Methylformiat; Mravencan methylnaty; UN 1243; Methyl ester of formic acid; Methanoic acid methyl ester
• Permanent link for this species. Use this link for bookmarking this species for future reference.
• Information on this page:
  • Gas phase thermochemistry data
  • Condensed phase thermochemistry data
  • Phase change data
  • Reaction thermochemistry data
  • Gas phase ion energetics data
  • IR Spectrum
  • Mass spectrum (electron ionization)
  • Gas Chromatography
  • References
  • Notes
• Other data available:
  • Henry's Law data
  • Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels
• Data at other public NIST sites:
  • Gas Phase Kinetics Database
• Options:
  • Switch to calorie-based units

Data at NIST subscription sites:

• NIST / TRC Web Thermo Tables, "lite" edition (thermophysical and thermochemical data)
• NIST / TRC Web Thermo Tables, professional edition (thermophysical and thermochemical data)

NIST subscription sites provide data under the NIST Standard Reference Data Program, but require an annual fee to access. The purpose of the fee is to recover costs associated with the development of data collections included in such sites. Your institution may already be a subscriber. Follow the links above to find out more about the data in these sites and their terms of usage.

Gas phase thermochemistry data

Go To: Top, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Reaction thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, IR Spectrum, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
DRB - Donald R. Burgess, Jr.
ALS - Hussein Y. Afeefy, Joel F. Liebman, and Stephen E. Stein
GT - Glushko Thermocenter, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Constant pressure heat capacity of gas

Condensed phase thermochemistry data

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Reaction thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, IR Spectrum, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
ALS - Hussein Y. Afeefy, Joel F. Liebman, and Stephen E. Stein
DH - Eugene S. Domalski and Elizabeth D. Hearing

Constant pressure heat capacity of liquid

Phase change data

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Reaction thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, IR Spectrum, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
BS - Robert L. Brown and Stephen E. Stein
TRC - Thermodynamics Research Center, NIST Boulder Laboratories, Chris Muzny director
ALS - Hussein Y. Afeefy, Joel F. Liebman, and Stephen E. Stein
DRB - Donald R. Burgess, Jr.
AC - William E. Acree, Jr., James S. Chickos

Enthalpy of vaporization

Enthalpy of vaporization

Δ_vapH = A exp(-βT_r) (1 − T_r)^β
    Δ_vapH = Enthalpy of vaporization (at saturation pressure) (kJ/mol)
    T_r = reduced temperature (T / T_c)

View plot Requires a JavaScript / HTML 5 canvas capable browser.

Antoine Equation Parameters

log₁₀(P) = A − (B / (T + C))
    P = vapor pressure (bar)
    T = temperature (K)

View plot Requires a JavaScript / HTML 5 canvas capable browser.

Reaction thermochemistry data

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Gas phase ion energetics data, IR Spectrum, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
B - John E. Bartmess
ALS - Hussein Y. Afeefy, Joel F. Liebman, and Stephen E. Stein

Note: Please consider using the reaction search for this species. This page allows searching of all reactions involving this species. A general reaction search form is also available. Future versions of this site may rely on reaction search pages in place of the enumerated reaction displays seen below.

Individual Reactions

C₂H₃O₂^- +  =

By formula: C₂H₃O₂^- + H⁺ = C₂H₄O₂

C₂H₃O₂^- +  =

By formula: C₂H₃O₂^- + H⁺ = C₂H₄O₂

 +  =  + 2

By formula: C₄H₁₀O₃ + H₂O = C₂H₄O₂ + 2CH₄O

Gas phase ion energetics data

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Reaction thermochemistry data, IR Spectrum, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data evaluated as indicated in comments:
HL - Edward P. Hunter and Sharon G. Lias
L - Sharon G. Lias

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
B - John E. Bartmess
LL - Sharon G. Lias and Joel F. Liebman
LBLHLM - Sharon G. Lias, John E. Bartmess, Joel F. Liebman, John L. Holmes, Rhoda D. Levin, and W. Gary Mallard
LLK - Sharon G. Lias, Rhoda D. Levin, and Sherif A. Kafafi
RDSH - Henry M. Rosenstock, Keith Draxl, Bruce W. Steiner, and John T. Herron

View reactions leading to C₂H₄O₂⁺ (ion structure unspecified)

Ionization energy determinations

Appearance energy determinations

De-protonation reactions

C₂H₃O₂^- +  =

By formula: C₂H₃O₂^- + H⁺ = C₂H₄O₂

C₂H₃O₂^- +  =

By formula: C₂H₃O₂^- + H⁺ = C₂H₄O₂

IR Spectrum

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Reaction thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compiled by: Coblentz Society, Inc.

• GAS (100 mmHg, N2 ADDED, TOTAL PRESSURE 600 mmHg); DOW KBr FOREPRISM-GRATING; DIGITIZED BY NIST FROM HARD COPY (FROM TWO SEGMENTS); 2 cm^-1 resolution

Data compiled by: Tanya L. Myers, Russell G. Tonkyn, Ashley M. Oeck, Tyler O. Danby, John S. Loring, Matthew S. Taubman, Stephen W. Sharpe, Jerome C. Birnbaum, and Timothy J. Johnson

• liquid; Bruker Tensor 27 FTIR; 0.4821395 cm^-1 resolution

Data compiled by: NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center, William E. Wallace, director

• gas

Mass spectrum (electron ionization)

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Reaction thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, IR Spectrum, Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled by: NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center, William E. Wallace, director

Spectrum

Notice: This spectrum may be better viewed with a Javascript and HTML 5 enabled browser.

For Zoom

1.) Enter the desired X axis range (e.g., 100, 200)

2.) Check here for automatic Y scaling

3.) Press here to zoom

Additional Data

Gas Chromatography

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Reaction thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, IR Spectrum, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled by: NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center, William E. Wallace, director

Kovats' RI, non-polar column, isothermal

View large format table.

Kovats' RI, non-polar column, custom temperature program

View large format table.

Kovats' RI, polar column, isothermal

View large format table.

Normal alkane RI, non-polar column, temperature ramp

View large format table.

Normal alkane RI, non-polar column, custom temperature program

View large format table.

Normal alkane RI, polar column, custom temperature program

View large format table.

References

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Reaction thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, IR Spectrum, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Gas Chromatography, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Gladii, Starchevskii, et al., 1990
Gladii, S.L.; Starchevskii, M.K.; Pazderskii, Yu.A.; Moiseev, I.I., Chemical equilibrium in the methyl formate-water-methanol-formic acid system, J. Appl. Chem. USSR, 1990, 63, 106-111. [all data]

Hine and Klueppet, 1974
Hine, J.; Klueppet, A.W., Structural effects on rates and equilibria. XVIII. Thermodynamic stability of ortho esters, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1974, 96, 2924-2929. [all data]

Guthrie, 1974
Guthrie, J.P., Hydration of carboxamides. Evaluation of the free energy change for addition of water to acetamide and formamide derivatives, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1974, 96, 3608-3615. [all data]

Hall and Baldt, 1971
Hall, H.K., Jr.; Baldt, J.H., Thermochemistry of strained-ring bridgehead nitriles and esters, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1971, 93, 140-145. [all data]

Chao J., 1986
Chao J., Thermodynamic properties of key organic oxygen compounds in the carbon range C1 to C4. Part 2. Ideal gas properties, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1986, 15, 1369-1436. [all data]

Vay P.-M., 1971
Vay P.-M., Tables of thermodynamic functions for gaseous methyl formate and methyl acetate, J. Chim. Phys. Physico-Chim. Biol., 1971, 68, 1757-1758. [all data]

East A.L.L., 1997
East A.L.L., Ab initio statistical thermodynamical models for the computation of third-law entropies, J. Chem. Phys., 1997, 106, 6655-6674. [all data]

Zabransky, Hynek, et al., 1987
Zabransky, M.; Hynek, V.; Finkeova-Hastabova, J.; Vesely, F., Heat capacities of six liquid esters as a function of temperature, Coll. Czech. Chem. Comm., 1987, 52, 251-256. [all data]

Fuchs, 1979
Fuchs, R., Heat capacities of some liquid aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic esters at 298.15 K, J. Chem. Thermodyn., 1979, 11, 959-961. [all data]

Mehl, 1934
Mehl, W., Die spezifische Wärme einiger flüssiger Kältemittel, Z. ges. Kalte-Ind., 1934, 41, 152-153. [all data]

Berthelot and Ogier, 1881
Berthelot, M.; Ogier, J., Recherches sur les ethers formiques, Ann. chim. et phys., 1881, 23(5), 201-209. [all data]

Timmermans, 1935
Timmermans, J., Researches in Stoichiometry. I. The Heat of Fusion of Organic Compounds., Bull. Soc. Chim. Belg., 1935, 44, 17-40. [all data]

Timmermans, 1911
Timmermans, J., Researches on the freezing point of organic liquid compounds, Bull. Soc. Chim. Belg., 1911, 25, 300. [all data]

Majer and Svoboda, 1985
Majer, V.; Svoboda, V., Enthalpies of Vaporization of Organic Compounds: A Critical Review and Data Compilation, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1985, 300. [all data]

Young, 1910
Young, S., The Internal Heat of Vaporization constants of thirty pure substances, Sci. Proc. R. Dublin Soc., 1910, 12, 374. [all data]

Young and Thomas, 1893
Young, S.; Thomas, G.L., The vapour pressures, molecular volumes, and critical constants of ten of the lower esters, J. Chem. Soc., 1893, 63, 1191. [all data]

De Heen, 1888
De Heen, P., Research on Physics and Theory of Liquids, Experimental Part Paris, 1888. [all data]

Nadezhdin, 1887
Nadezhdin, A., Rep. Phys., 1887, 23, 708. [all data]

Stephenson and Malanowski, 1987
Stephenson, Richard M.; Malanowski, Stanislaw, Handbook of the Thermodynamics of Organic Compounds, 1987, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3173-2 . [all data]

Cihlár, Hynek, et al., 1976
Cihlár, J.; Hynek, V.; Svoboda, V.; Holub, R., Heats of vaporization of alkyl esters of formic acid, Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun., 1976, 41, 1, 1-6, https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc19760001 . [all data]

Baldt and Hall, 1971
Baldt, J.H.; Hall, H.K.K., Jr., Thermochemistry of strained-ring bridgehead nitriles and esters, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1971, 93, 140-145. [all data]

Nelson, 1928
Nelson, O.A., Vapor Pressures of Fumigants: II---Methyl, Ethyl, n-Propyl, Isopropyl, n-Butyl, Secondary Butyl and Isobutyl Formates ¹, Ind. Eng. Chem., 1928, 20, 12, 1382-1384, https://doi.org/10.1021/ie50228a035 . [all data]

Graul and Squires, 1988
Graul, S.T.; Squires, R.R., On the Existence of Alkyl Carbanions in the Gas Phase, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1988, 110, 2, 607, https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00210a054 . [all data]

DePuy, Grabowski, et al., 1985
DePuy, C.H.; Grabowski, J.J.; Bierbaum, V.M.; Ingemann, S.; Nibbering, N.M.M., Gas-phase reactions of anions with methyl formate and N,N-dimethylformamide, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1985, 107, 1093. [all data]

Hunter and Lias, 1998
Hunter, E.P.; Lias, S.G., Evaluated Gas Phase Basicities and Proton Affinities of Molecules: An Update, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1998, 27, 3, 413-656, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.556018 . [all data]

Waterstradt, Jung, et al., 1994
Waterstradt, E.; Jung, R.; Belling, T.; Muller-Dethlefs, K., Zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectrum and coincident mass spectra of methyl formate, Ber. Bunsen-Ges. Phys. Chem., 1994, 98, 176. [all data]

Cannington and Ham, 1985
Cannington, P.H.; Ham, N.S., He(II) photoelectron spectra of esters, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1985, 36, 203. [all data]

Kimura, Katsumata, et al., 1981
Kimura, K.; Katsumata, S.; Achiba, Y.; Yamazaki, T.; Iwata, S., Ionization energies, Ab initio assignments, and valence electronic structure for 200 molecules in Handbook of HeI Photoelectron Spectra of Fundamental Organic Compounds, Japan Scientific Soc. Press, Tokyo, 1981. [all data]

Benoit, Harrison, et al., 1977
Benoit, F.M.; Harrison, A.G.; Lossing, F.P., Hydrogen migrations in mass spectrometry III-Energetics of formation of [R'CO₂H₂]⁺ in the mass spectra of R'CO₂R, Org. Mass Spectrom., 1977, 12, 78. [all data]

Sweigart and Turner, 1972
Sweigart, D.A.; Turner, D.W., Lone pair orbitals and their interactions studied by photoelectron spectroscopy. I. Carboxylic acids and their derivatives, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1972, 94, 5592. [all data]

Watanabe, Nakayama, et al., 1962
Watanabe, K.; Nakayama, T.; Mottl, J., Ionization potentials of some molecules, J. Quant. Spectry. Radiative Transfer, 1962, 2, 369. [all data]

Benoit and Harrison, 1977
Benoit, F.M.; Harrison, A.G., Predictive value of proton affinity. Ionization energy correlations involving oxygenated molecules, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1977, 99, 3980. [all data]

Rao, 1975
Rao, C.N.R., Lone-pair ionization bands of chromophores in the photoelectron spectra of organic molecules, Indian J. Chem., 1975, 13, 950. [all data]

Nishimura, Zha, et al., 1987
Nishimura, T.; Zha, Q.; Meisels, G.G., Unimolecular dissociation of energy-selected methyl formate ion, J. Chem. Phys., 1987, 87, 4589. [all data]

Haney and Franklin, 1969
Haney, M.A.; Franklin, J.L., Excess energies in mass spectra of some oxygen-containing organic compounds, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans., 1969, 65, 1794. [all data]

King and Long, 1958
King, A.B.; Long, F.A., Mass spectra of some simple esters and their interpretation by quasi-equilibrium theory, J. Chem. Phys., 1958, 29, 374. [all data]

VanRaalte and Harrison, 1963
VanRaalte, D.; Harrison, A.G., Ionization and dissociation of formate esters by electron impact, Can. J. Chem., 1963, 41, 2054. [all data]

Becerra, Sánchez, et al., 1982
Becerra, M.R.; Sánchez, E.F.; Domínguez, J.A.G.; Muñoz, J.G.; Molera, M.J., The use of gaseous and liquid n-paraffins in GC identification of oxidation products of acetondimethyl acetal, J. Chromatogr. Sci., 1982, 20, 8, 363-366, https://doi.org/10.1093/chromsci/20.8.363 . [all data]

Goebel, 1982
Goebel, K.-J., Gaschromatographische Identifizierung Niedrig Siedender Substanzen Mittels Retentionsindices und Rechnerhilfe, J. Chromatogr., 1982, 235, 1, 119-127, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(00)95793-5 . [all data]

Bogoslovsky, Anvaer, et al., 1978
Bogoslovsky, Yu.N.; Anvaer, B.I.; Vigdergauz, M.S., Chromatographic constants in gas chromatography (in Russian), Standards Publ. House, Moscow, 1978, 192. [all data]

Ashes and Haken, 1974
Ashes, J.R.; Haken, J.K., Gas chromatography of homologous esters. VI. Structure-retention increments of aliphatic esters, J. Chromatogr., 1974, 101, 1, 103-123, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(01)94737-5 . [all data]

Mira and Sanchez, 1970
Mira, J.M.; Sanchez, L.G., Polarity of the Gas Chromatographic Stationary Phases and Retention Indices of Aliphatic Esters, Ketones and Alcohols, Anal. Chim. Acta., 1970, 50, 2, 315-321, https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2670(70)80071-X . [all data]

Germaine and Haken, 1969
Germaine, R.W.; Haken, J.K., Gas chromatography of homologous esters. Part 1. Simple aliphatic esters, J. Chromatogr., 1969, 43, 33-42, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(00)99162-3 . [all data]

Wehrli and Kováts, 1959
Wehrli, A.; Kováts, E., Gas-chromatographische Charakterisierung ogranischer Verbindungen. Teil 3: Berechnung der Retentionsindices aliphatischer, alicyclischer und aromatischer Verbindungen, Helv. Chim. Acta, 1959, 7, 7, 2709-2736, https://doi.org/10.1002/hlca.19590420745 . [all data]

Chretien and Dubois, 1978
Chretien, J.R.; Dubois, J-E., Topological Analysis: A Technique for the Physico-Chemical Exploitation of Retention Data in Gas-Liquid Chromatography, J. Chromatogr., 1978, 158, 43-56, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(00)89954-9 . [all data]

Leffingwell and Alford, 2005
Leffingwell, J.C.; Alford, E.D., Volatile constituents of Perique tobacco, Electron. J. Environ. Agric. Food Chem., 2005, 4, 2, 899-915. [all data]

Du and Feng, 2008
Du, X.; Feng, C., Correlativity research between topological dyeing index and gas chromatography retention index of fatty esters, J. Petrochem. Univ. (Chinese), 2008, 21, 1, 16-20. [all data]

Flanagan, Streete, et al., 1997
Flanagan, R.J.; Streete, P.J.; Ramsey, J.D., Volatile Substance Abuse, UNODC Technical Series, No 5, United Nations, Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna International Centre, PO Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria, 1997, 56, retrieved from http://www.odccp.org/pdf/technical_series₁997-01-01₁.pdf. [all data]

Strete, Ruprah, et al., 1992
Strete, P.J.; Ruprah, M.; Ramsey, J.D.; Flanagan, R.J., Detection and identification of volatile substances by headspace capillary gas chromatography to aid the diagnosis of acute poisoning, Analyst, 1992, 117, 7, 1111-1127, https://doi.org/10.1039/an9921701111 . [all data]

Waggott and Davies, 1984
Waggott, A.; Davies, I.W., Identification of organic pollutants using linear temperature programmed retention indices (LTPRIs) - Part II, 1984, retrieved from http://dwi.defra.gov.uk/research/completed-research/reports/dwi0383.pdf. [all data]

Ramsey and Flanagan, 1982
Ramsey, J.D.; Flanagan, R.J., Detection and Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds in Blood by Headspace Gas Chromatography as an Aid to the Diagnosis of Solvent Abuse, J. Chromatogr., 1982, 240, 2, 423-444, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(00)99622-5 . [all data]

Notes

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Condensed phase thermochemistry data, Phase change data, Reaction thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, IR Spectrum, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Gas Chromatography, References

• Symbols used in this document:
  

  AE	Appearance energy
  Cp,gas	Constant pressure heat capacity of gas
  Cp,liquid	Constant pressure heat capacity of liquid
  IE (evaluated)	Recommended ionization energy
  Pc	Critical pressure
  Tboil	Boiling point
  Tc	Critical temperature
  Tfus	Fusion (melting) point
  ΔcH°liquid	Enthalpy of combustion of liquid at standard conditions
  ΔfH°gas	Enthalpy of formation of gas at standard conditions
  ΔfH°liquid	Enthalpy of formation of liquid at standard conditions
  ΔrG°	Free energy of reaction at standard conditions
  ΔrH°	Enthalpy of reaction at standard conditions
  ΔvapH	Enthalpy of vaporization
  ΔvapH°	Enthalpy of vaporization at standard conditions
  ρc	Critical density

• Data from NIST Standard Reference Database 69: NIST Chemistry WebBook
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses its best efforts to deliver a high quality copy of the Database and to verify that the data contained therein have been selected on the basis of sound scientific judgment. However, NIST makes no warranties to that effect, and NIST shall not be liable for any damage that may result from errors or omissions in the Database.
• Customer support for NIST Standard Reference Data products.