Methyl benzoate
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| Methyl benzoate | |
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| Chemical name | Methyl benzoate |
| Chemical formula | C8H8O2 |
| Molecular mass | 136.15 g/mol |
| CAS number | [93-58-3] |
| Density | 1.094 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | -15 °C |
| Boiling point | 198-200 °C |
| SMILES | O=C(OC)C1=CC=CC=C1 |
| Disclaimer and references | |
Methyl benzoate is an ester with the chemical formula C6H5COOCH3. It is formed by the condensation of methanol and benzoic acid. It is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid that is insoluble with water, but miscible with most organic solvents.
Methyl benzoate has a pleasant smell and it is used in perfumery. It also finds use as a solvent and as a pesticide used to attract insects.
[edit] Reactions of methyl benzoate
Methyl benzoate undergoes nitration with nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid, forming methyl 3-nitrobenzoate. This takes place when nitric acid is protonated and forms the NO2+, nitronium cation. This cation is the electrophile and attacks the benzene ring to form methyl 3-nitrobenzoate.
Methyl benzoate undergoes saponification with addition of NaOH. The ester is converted into a carboxylic acid. The result is the sodium salt of the acid, which can be reacted with HCl to form a 3-Nitrobenzoic acid.
[edit] See also
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