Methyl lactate

Chemical properties

Methyl lactate is a colorless transparent liquid. It is soluble/miscible in water, acetone, ethyl alcohol, and other organic solvents. It is used as a cellulose acetate solvent.

The Uses of Methyl lactate

Methyl lactate is used as a solvent for nitrocellulose, cellulase acetate, cellulase acetobutyrote and cellulase acetaprapionate. It is used in the manufacture of lacquers and dopes where it contributes high tolerance for diluents, good flaw and blush resistance.

Definition

ChEBI: Methyl lactate is a lactate ester resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxy group of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid with methanol. It has a role as a metabolite. It is a lactate ester and a methyl ester.

Hazard

Moderate fire risk.

Safety Profile

Methyl lactate has been classed as non-irritant to the eyes of guinea pigs.
The estimated average lethal dose for the female rat following i.p. injection of methyl lactate was >2000 mg/kg body weight. Observations included narcosis, respiratory distress and peritoneal adhesions. The estimated non toxic dose and estimated maximum dose without gross lesions at necropsy was 500 mg/kg body weight.

Synthesis

Methyl lactate is prepared by the esterification of methyl alcohol with lactic acid.

Purification Methods

Methyl lactate is easily hydrolyzed and often contains impurities such as free lactic acid, methanol and water. Free acid can be removed by washing after neutralization with alkali. Moisture can be removed by azeotropic distillation of an azeotropic mixture with benzene. Then, it was purified by distillation under reduced pressure. Since calcium chloride and the like form molecular compounds with methyl lactate, they cannot be used as desiccants. When the methyl lactate is mixed with water, it can be extracted and recovered with benzene, ether, etc.