Methyl acrylate

Description

Methyl acrylate is an organic compound with the formula CH₂CHCO₂CH₃. It is the methyl ester of acrylic acid. It is a colourless liquid with a characteristic acrid odor. It is mainly produced to make acrylate fiber, which is used to weave synthetic carpets. It is also a reagent in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical intermediates.

Chemical properties

Methyl acrylate is a clear, colorless, corrosive liquid with a sharp, fruity odor. It is soluble in water and completely miscible with most organic solvents.

Methyl acrylate has a variety of industrial uses. the more important commercial uses of methyl acrylate include the preparation of thermoplastic coatings, use in the manufacture of acrylic and modacrylic fibers. In the fiber application, methyl acrylate is used as a comonomer with acrylonitrile. These acrylic fibers usually contain about 85% acrylonitrile and are used to fabricate clothing, blankets, carpets, and curtains. Other uses of methyl acrylate include coatings, adhesives, textile backcoatings, elastomers, plastics, and it is also found in ionic exchange resins, barrier film resins, antioxidant intermediates and acrylic fibers.

Physical properties

Clear, colorless, flammable liquid with a heavy, sweet, pungent odor. An odor threshold concentration of 3.5 ppb_v was reported by Nagata and Takeuchi (1990).

The Uses of Methyl acrylate

Methyl acrylate is a monomer used in themanufacture of plastic films, textiles, papercoatings, and other acrylate ester resins. It isalso used in amphoteric surfactants.

What are the applications of Application

Methyl acrylate is a precursor in the synthesis of adipic acid

Production Methods

Methyl acrylate is manufactured via a reaction of nickel carbonyl and acetylene with methanol in the presence of an acid; more commonly, however, it is manufactured via oxidation of propylene to acrolein and then to acrylic acid. The acid is reacted with methanol to yield the ester.

Preparation

Acrylate esters can be produced in a number of ways. The most commonly used method, developed in 1970, involves a propylene oxidation process. The reaction occurs initially with the oxidation of propylene to acrolein, which in turn is oxidized to acrylic acid. Once the acrylic acid is formed, it is reacted with methanol which causes the formation of the methyl acrylate. This reaction is shown as follows:

An older method, the Reppe process, involves reacting acetylene with nickel carbonyl and methyl alcohol in the presence of an acid to produce methyl acrylate.
More recent methods for producing acrylate esters involve the use of organic carbonates as esterifying agents or isolating 2-halo- 1-alkenes from hydrocarbon feedstocks to produce the acrylate esters (Haggin, 1985).

Definition

methacrylate: A salt or ester ofmethacrylic acid (2-methylpropenoicacid).

General Description

Colorless volatile liquid with an acrid odor. Flash point 27°F. Vapors may irritate the eyes and respiratory system. Highly toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. Less dense than water (0.957 gm / cm3) and slightly soluble in water, hence floats on water. Vapors heavier than air.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Forms peroxides when exposed to air that may initiate spontaneous, exothermic polymerization. Peroxide formation usually proceeds slowly. Slightly soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

METHYL ACRYLATE ignites readily when exposed to heat, flame or sparks. Offers a dangerous fire and explosion hazard. Reacts vigorously with strong oxidizing materials. Forms peroxides when exposed to air that may initiate spontaneous exothermic polymerization. Peroxide formation usually proceeds slowly. Added inhibitor retards polymerization. If the inhibitor is consumed during long storage, explosive polymerization may occur [MCA Case History No. 2033]. Also subject to strongly exothermic polymerization if heated for prolonged periods or contaminated.

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire and explosion risk. Toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption; irritant to skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract irritant; eye damage. Questionable carcinogen.

Health Hazard

The liquid is a strong irritant, and prolongedcontact with the eyes or skin may causesevere damage. Inhalation of its vapors cancause lacrimation, irritation of respiratorytract, lethargy, and at high concentrations,convulsions. One-hour exposure to a concen tration of 700–750 ppm in air caused deathto rabbits. The oral toxicity of methyl acry late in animals varied from low to moderate,depending on species, the LD50 values ranging between 250 and 850 mg/kg. The liquidmay be absorbed through the skin, producingmild toxic effects.

Fire Hazard

Flammable liquid; flash point (closed cup) -4°C (25°F), (open cup) -3°C (27°F); vapor pressure 68 torr at 20°C (68°F); vapor density 3.0 (air = 1); the vapor is heavier than air and can travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flashback; autoignition tem perature not established; fire-extinguishing agent: dry chemical, CO2, or “alcohol” foam; use water to keep the fire-exposed containers cool and to flush or dilute any spill; the vapors may polymerize and block the vents.
The vapors of methyl acrylate form explo sive mixtures with air, over a relatively wide range; the LEL and UEL values are 2.8 and 25.0% by volume in air, respectively. Methyl acrylate undergoes self-polymerization at 25°C (77°F). The polymerization reaction proceeds with evolution of heat and the increased pressure can cause rupture of closed containers. The reaction rate is accelerated by heat, light, or peroxides. Vigorous to violent reaction may occur when mixed with strong oxidizers (especially nitrates and peroxides) and strong alkalie.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact. Mddly toxic by inhalation. Human systemic effects by inhalation: olfaction effects, eye effects, and respiratory effects. A skin and eye irritant. Mutation data reported. Chronic exposure has produced injury to lungs, liver, and kidneys in experimental animals. Questionable carcinogen. Dangerously flammable when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidzers. Dangerous explosion hazard in the form of vapor when exposed to heat, sparks, or flame. Can react vigorously with oxidzing materials. A storage hazard; it forms peroxides, which may initiate exothermic polymerization. To fight fire, use foam, COa, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also ESTERS.

Safety

It is an acute toxin with an LD₅₀ (rats, oral) of 300 mg/kg and a TLV of 10 ppm.

Potential Exposure

Methyl acrylate is used in production of acrylates, copolymers, barrier resins; and surfactants for shampoos; as a monomer in the manufacture of polymers for plastic films, textiles, paper, and leather coating resins. It is also used as a pesticide intermediate and in pharmaceutical manufacture.

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Medical observation is recommended for 2448 h after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a corticosteroid spray.

Carcinogenicity

Methyl acrylate was not shown to be carcinogenic in male and female rats in a lifetime inhalation study. Not listed by ACGIH, California Proposition 65, IARC, NTP, or OSHA.

Environmental Fate

Photolytic. Polymerizes on standing and is accelerated by heat, light, and peroxides (Windholz et al., 1983). Methyl acrylate reacts with OH radicals in the atmosphere (296 K) and aqueous solution at rates of 3.04 x 10^-12 and 2.80 x 10^-12 cm³/molecule?sec, respectively (Wallington et al., 1988b).
Chemical/Physical. Begins to polymerize at 80.2 °C (Weast, 1986). Slowly hydrolyzes in water forming methyl alcohol and acrylic acid (Morrison and Boyd, 1971). Based on a hydrolysis rate constant of 0.0779/M?h at pH 9 at 25 °C, an estimated half-life of 2.8 yr at pH 7 was reported (Roy, 1972). The reported rate constant for the reaction of methacrylonitrile with ozone in the gas phase is 2.91 x 10^-18 cm³ mol/sec (Munshi et al., 1989a).

storage

Methyl acrylate is stored in a flammable materials storage room or cabinet below 20°C (68°F), separated from oxidizing substances. It is inhibited with 200 ppm ofhydroquinone monomethyl ether to preventself-polymerization. It is shipped in bottles,cans, drums, or tank cars.

Shipping

UN1919 Methyl acrylate, stabilized, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid.

Purification Methods

Wash the ester repeatedly with aqueous NaOH until free from inhibitors (such as hydroquinone), then wash it with distilled water, dry (CaCl2) and fractionally distil it under reduced pressure in an all-glass apparatus. Seal it under nitrogen and store it at 0o in the dark. [Bamford & Han J Chem Soc, Faraday Trans 1 78 855 1982, Beilstein 2 IV 1457.]

Toxicity evaluation

Methyl acrylate (MA) is moderately toxic to fish (LC50 1.1 - 7.5 mg/l), crustaceans (LC50/EC50 0.31 - 2.6 mg/l) and algae(EC50 6.9 - 15.0 mg/l). In Selenastrum capricornutum, MA is algistatic at a concentration of 19 mg/l.It is of low acute toxicity to bacteria and protozoa.

Incompatibilities

Forms explosive mixture in air. Incompatible with nitrates, oxidizers, such as peroxides, strong alkalis. Polymerizes easily from heat, light, peroxides; usually contains an inhibitor, such as hydroquinone.

Waste Disposal

Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed. Consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant (≥100 kg/mo) must conform to EPA regulations governing storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal