Walking into any chemical catalog, I’ve always noticed methyl acetate popping up under a string of aliases: methyl acetate, methyl acetate ester, methyl ethanoate, and those who seek it out on PubChem or Good Scents will know just how often this clear, fast-evaporating liquid shows up. The CAS number 79-20-9 (sometimes spelled 79 20 9 CAS or methyl acetate CAS no) opens doors for buyers searching for technical documents, safety sheets, physical properties, or prices. Chemists in the research space might head straight for methyl acetate Sigma, methyl acetate Merck, or eastman methyl acetate, seeing these brands as a guarantee that their purchase will meet strict specs and analysis reports.
People tend to focus first on numbers when they browse. The methyl acetate structural formula—CH3COOCH3—gets attention from formulators and technical buyers, who pair structure with physical properties actual plant operators use every day. The molecular weight of methyl acetate clocks in at about 74.08 g/mol, which comes into play for dosing and storage calculations. Knowing that methyl acetate has a density around 0.932 g/cm3 and a boiling point close to 57°C means workers can decide whether it fits their temperature profiles in reactors, especially if they need it to evaporate quickly in paint or coating processes. The melting point, close to -98°C, matters less on the production floor unless you’re storing it in arctic-style conditions, though the flash point (around -10°C) draws attention from safety officers and warehouse teams—the lower the flash point, the higher the fire risk. Every methyl acetate SDS highlights these hazards, pushing buyers and safety managers to double-check how flammable atmospheres and exhaust systems should be set up.
From experience, I’ve seen how the phrase ‘methyl acetate for sale’ draws so many different groups: lab buyers after tiny ampoules, process managers hunting bulk tankers, and trading houses playing the market for a price advantage. Large outfits look for methyl acetate bulk or methyl acetate price per ton, calculating how many metric tons keep their coaters or flexographic printers running without costly shutdowns. For specialty applications or QC-driven customers, methyl acetate Sigma Aldrich, Merck, or Eastman methyl acetate tend to win because documentation (including certifications and analytical specs) arrives in lockstep with each drum. On the other hand, companies interested in price efficiency may compare methyl acetate price fluctuations using trading platforms or industry bulletins, evaluating if the current methyl acetate price makes sense to buy now or wait for a dip.
The real reason methyl acetate shows up in so many recipes is utility. As a solvent, it fits formulations in paints, coatings, adhesives, and inks, where a fast-evaporating, low-residue liquid can transform sticky concentrate into a perfect layer of color or glue. I’ve seen methyl acetate uses in industry scale from nail polish remover in consumer cosmetics all the way to electronics cleaning, sometimes as a substitute for more hazardous solvents like toluene. The ester smell is less aggressive than ketones, earning methyl acetate some popularity in fragrances and cleaning goods, especially highlighted by Good Scents database profiles. Factories focus less on the sensory notes and more on throughput—how does it perform in the process, how fast can it be removed, and how safe is every operator handling it?
Every chemist and plant manager learns early that methyl acetate brings challenges. The methyl acetate SDS details hazards ranging from inhalation risk and skin irritation to that sharp flammability hazard flagged by the low flash point. Plants storing methyl acetate follow rigorous safety routines, with proper fireproof cabinets, exhaust ventilation, grounding of containers, and continuous monitoring for vapors, since even a loose cap on a drum can spell a dangerous situation. Regulators pay close attention; it doesn't take long before a routine inspection turns up issues around PPE or fire safety equipment. The IUPAC name—methyl ethanoate—sounds academic, but synonyms and hazard codes tie into real-world compliance, tracking, and labeling on every barrel that gets shipped out.
In my own experience, methyl acetate often gets weighed against other esters or oxygenated solvents. Acetone may dry even faster, but methyl acetate offers a better balance between evaporation rate and solvency, sometimes crucial for fine finishing in automotive or furniture lacquers. Factoring in regulatory controls—especially in Europe or California—sometimes tips the scales toward methyl acetate, as other solvents face stricter limits or carry health warnings. Buyers look up methyl acetate price against alternatives on each job, checking the numbers per kilogram, per liter, or per ton. The right solvent choice touches everything from how the finished product performs to whether an order ships out on time.
Off the shelf, global brands like Sigma Aldrich, Merck, and Eastman give buyers peace of mind through their batch consistency, regular technical support, and a strong digital trail for every order. In faster-moving, budget-driven industries, local and regional distributors bridge the gap, sometimes offering better prices or shorter lead times. Buying methyl acetate isn’t just about lowest cost—plant interruptions, batch reworks, or mislabeled safety paperwork can tack on costs no spreadsheet predicts. The best purchasing teams watch more than just methyl acetate price curves; they track supply chain stability, reviewing every link from the factory floor to customs clearance.
Shifting regulations and evolving consumer demands nudge chemical companies to develop processes that lower emissions and reduce solvent losses. Here, methyl acetate can be an ally, given its reasonably low toxicity and faster evaporation compared to heavier hydrocarbons. Progress lies in real-world innovation—recovery systems that catch vapors for recycling, updated workspace airflow to avoid hotspots, and cleaner label initiatives that look for lowest-hazard solvents in consumer products. Manufacturers balancing economic goals with worker safety and environmental expectations find methyl acetate a partner, so long as support teams tackle documentation (from SDS to batch COAs) and invest in safer, smarter handling on the ground.
