Methyl chloroformate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name
Methyl carbonochloridate | |
| Other names
Methyl chloroformate, Chlorocarbonic methyl ester, Methyl chlorocarbonate | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| 605437 | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.001.080 |
| EC Number |
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PubChem CID |
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| ClC(O)OCH3 | |
| Molar mass | 94.49 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Colorless oily liquid |
| Odor | Pungent |
| Density | 1.223 g/mL |
| Boiling point | 70 to 72 °C (158 to 162 °F; 343 to 345 K) |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
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| Danger | |
| H225, H302, H312, H314, H330 | |
| P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P260, P264, P270, P271, P280, P284, P301+P312, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P312, P320, P321, P330, P363, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501 | |
| Flash point | 10 °C (50 °F; 283 K) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Methyl chloroformate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Cl−C(=O)−O−CH3. It is the methyl ester of chloroformic acid. It is an oily colorless liquid, although aged samples appear yellow. It is also known for its pungent odor.
Properties
Methyl chloroformate hydrolyzes in water to form methanol, hydrochloric acid, and carbon dioxide.[3] This decomposition happens violently in the presence of steam, causing foaming. The compound decomposes in heat, which can liberate hydrogen chloride, phosgene, chlorine, or other toxic gases.[4]
Uses
Methyl chloroformate is used in organic synthesis for the introduction of the methoxycarbonyl functionality to a suitable nucleophile (i.e. carbomethoxylation).[5]