Substance profile
Trimethyl borate
Trimethyl borate is colorless, moisture-sensitive liquid; fumes in air.
01 · Identification
What Trimethyl borate is
Trimethyl borate is colorless, moisture-sensitive liquid; fumes in air. It boils at 67.5 °C, melts at -29.3 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
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 |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H360FD | May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P280, P302, P312, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Trimethyl borate 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 | 67.5 °C (153.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 68 °C (154.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 68 °C (154.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | -29.3 °C (-20.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -29 °C (-20.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 0.915 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.92 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Miscible with tetrahydrofuran, ether, isoporpylamine, hexane, methanol, nujol, and other organic liquids | HSDB | |
| Miscible with alcohol, ether; soluble in polar nonhydroxylic solvents | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 137 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 135.011 mmHg | at 25 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | 7 °C (44.6 °F) | ICSC | |
| 26.67 °C (80 °F) | below this value | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Reacts with oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard. | table | HSDB |
| Vapor density | 3.59 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.6 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Trimethyl borate
Incompatible materials
... Reacts with water and oxidizing agents.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Borates, such as TRIMETHYL BORATE, behave similarly to esters in that they 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/borates with alkali metals and hydrides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Trimethyl borate in the storage compatibility matrix →