Isopropyl formate

Isopropyl formate
Names
	Other names Isopropyl methanoate;
Identifiers
CAS Number	625-55-8;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChEBI	CHEBI:173325;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL3184082;
ChemSpider	11755;
ECHA InfoCard	100.009.911
EC Number	210-901-2;
PubChem CID	12257;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2027258 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C4H8O2/c1-4(2)6-3-5/h3-4H,1-2H3 Key: RMOUBSOVHSONPZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N;
	SMILES CC(C)OC=O;
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H8O2
Molar mass	88.106 g·mol−1
Density	0.88
Boiling point	68 °C (154 °F; 341 K)
Refractive index (nD)	1.37
Hazards
	GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H225, H319, H335, H336
Precautionary statements	P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264+P265, P271, P280, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P337+P317, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501
Related compounds
Related compounds	Isopropyl acetate; 2-Methoxypropane; Methyl isopropyl ketone; Isobutyraldehyde;
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Isopropyl formate is an organic chemical compound. Like many other aliphatic carboxylic acid esters, it has an odor. It is described as pleasant and fruit-like, similar to plums or pears.^[1] In fact, many fruits contain isopropyl formate, but their smell is determined by a combination of esters, not by isopropyl formate alone.^[2]

Production

Isopropyl formate can be produced by a typical Fischer Esterification, of isopropyl alcohol and formic acid, catalyzed by sulfuric acid^[3]:

HCOOH + (CH₃)₂CHOH → C₄H₈O₂ + H₂O

Use

Isopropyl formate can be used as a flavour.^[1]

Fate

When released in the atmosphere, isopropyl formate is mostly degraded by reaction with hydroxyl radicals and secondarily by chlorine atoms.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b Burdock, George A. (29 July 2014). Encyclopedia of Food & Color Additives. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4987-1108-1.
^ "CAS 625-55-8: Isopropyl formate | CymitQuimica". cymitquimica.com. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
^ PubChem. "Isopropyl formate". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
^ Zhang, Y.J.; Liang, P.; Jiang, Z.H.; Cazaunau, M.; Daële, V.; Mu, Y.J.; Mellouki, A. (May 2014). "Reactions of OH and Cl with isopropyl formate, isobutyl formate, n-propyl isobutyrate and isopropyl isobutyrate". Chemical Physics Letters. 602: 68–74. Bibcode:2014CPL...602...68Z. doi:10.1016/j.cplett.2014.04.020.

[bur-1] Burdock, George A. (29 July 2014). Encyclopedia of Food & Color Additives. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4987-1108-1.

[2] "CAS 625-55-8: Isopropyl formate | CymitQuimica". cymitquimica.com. Retrieved 2025-12-04.

[3] PubChem. "Isopropyl formate". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-07.

[4] Zhang, Y.J.; Liang, P.; Jiang, Z.H.; Cazaunau, M.; Daële, V.; Mu, Y.J.; Mellouki, A. (May 2014). "Reactions of OH and Cl with isopropyl formate, isobutyl formate, n-propyl isobutyrate and isopropyl isobutyrate". Chemical Physics Letters. 602: 68–74. Bibcode:2014CPL...602...68Z. doi:10.1016/j.cplett.2014.04.020.

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