Methyl trichloroacetate
Methyl ester chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Methyl trichloroacetate is an organochlorine compound with the chemical formula CCl3COOCH3. It is a colorless liquid. It is the methyl ester of trichloroacetic acid.
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Methyl 2,2,2-trichloroacetate[1] | |
Other names
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| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.009.056 |
| EC Number |
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PubChem CID |
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| UNII | |
| UN number | 2533 |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| C3H3Cl3O2 | |
| Molar mass | 177.41 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid[1] |
| Odor | Sweet, fruity[2]; pungent[3] |
| Density | 1.488 g/mL[4] |
| Melting point | −18 °C (0 °F; 255 K)[4] |
| Boiling point | 152–153 °C (306–307 °F; 425–426 K)[4] |
| Insoluble[1] | |
| Solubility | Soluble in organic solvents[2] |
| log P | 2.03[4] |
| Vapor pressure | 4.3 mmHg[3] |
Refractive index (nD) |
1.455[4] |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards |
Toxic, serious eye irritation |
| GHS labelling: | |
| Warning | |
| H227, H302, H312, H315, H319, H331, H335 | |
| P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, P501 | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | 73 °C (163 °F; 346 K)[4] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Synthesis
Methyl trichloroacetate can be synthesized by an esterification reaction between trichloroacetic acid and methanol in the presence of an acid as a catalyst (e.g. sulfuric acid).[5]
- CCl3COOH + CH3OH → CCl3COOCH3 + H2O
Uses
Methyl trichloroacetate is primarily used in organic synthesis, especially as an intermediate in the production of various pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.[2]
Reactions
Methyl trichloroacetate methylates carboxylic acids with the loss of chloroform and carbon dioxide.[6] Direct fluorination of liquid methyl trichloroacetate produces fluoromethyl trichloroacetate CCl3COOCH2F and difluoromethyl trichloroacetate CCl3COOCHF2.[7]
Hazards
Methyl trichloroacetate possesses hazards typical of chlorinated organic compounds, including toxicity and environmental hazards. It can cause skin and respiratory irritation and serious eye irritation. It is toxic when inhaled.[1][2]

