Substance profile
Methyl acetoacetate
Methyl acetoacetate is a colorless liquid with an agreeable odor.
01 · Identification
What Methyl acetoacetate is
Methyl acetoacetate is a colorless liquid with an agreeable odor. It boils at 172 °C, melts at -80 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P264, P280, P305, P313, P337, P338
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Methyl acetoacetate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 171.7 °C (341.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 169.44 °C (337 °F) | range, midpoint shown, at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -80 °C (-112 °F) | HSDB | |
| -27 °C (-16.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1.076 g/cm³ | CAMEO | |
| 1.0762 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.0784 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Soluble in 2 parts water; miscible with alcohol and ether | HSDB | |
| SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 38 G/100 ML | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water, g/100ml: 50 | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 1.2751 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 0.892 mmHg | at 25 °C, Extrapolated | HSDB | |
| 0.89 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Flash point | 76.67 °C (170 °F) | HSDB | |
| 70 °C (158 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 77 °C (170.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 280 °C (536 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.1 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 1.4 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 16 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 14.5 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Vapor density | 4 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Methyl acetoacetate
Reactivity
METHYL ACETOACETATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Methyl acetoacetate in the storage compatibility matrix →