Substance profile
Methyl Acetate
Methyl Acetate is colorless, volatile liquid with a pleasant odor.
01 · Identification
What Methyl Acetate is
Methyl Acetate is colorless, volatile liquid with a pleasant odor. It boils at 56.7 °C, melts at -98.2 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Methyl Acetate identifiers and molecular data
Methyl Acetate CAS number and EC number
Methyl Acetate molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Methyl Acetate hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Methyl Acetate pictograms and signal word
Methyl Acetate hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 narcotic | H336 | GHS07 |
Methyl Acetate hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Methyl Acetate supplemental EU statements (EUH)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| EUH066 | Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Methyl Acetate. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Methyl Acetate
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Methyl Acetate issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Methyl Acetate precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 11 precautionary statements to Methyl Acetate. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Methyl Acetate name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | метилов ацетат |
| Spanish español | Acetato de metilo |
| Czech čeština | methyl-acetát |
| Danish dansk | methylacetat |
| German Deutsch | Methylacetat Essigsäuremethylester |
| Estonian eesti | metüülatsetaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | οξικός μεθυλεστέρας οξικό μεθύλιο |
| English English | methyl acetate |
| French français | acétate de méthyle |
| Croatian hrvatski | metil-acetat |
| Italian italiano | acetato di metile metilacetato |
| Latvian latviešu | metilacetāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | metilacetatas |
| Hungarian magyar | metil-acetát |
| Maltese Malti | aċetat tal-metil |
| Dutch Nederlands | methylacetaat |
| Polish polski | octan metylu |
| Portuguese português | acetato de metilo |
| Romanian română | acetat de metil |
| Slovak slovenčina | metyl-acetát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | metil acetat |
| Finnish suomi | metyyliasetaatti |
| Swedish svenska | metylacetat |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Methyl Acetate GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Methyl Acetate, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Methyl Acetate
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF IN EYES:
- Get medical advice/attention.
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Methyl Acetate in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Methyl Acetate health hazards and exposure limits
Methyl Acetate occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 200.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 200 ppm (610 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 200 ppm (610 mg/m3) See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 200 ppm (610 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | 250 ppm (760 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 200 ppm (610 mg/m3) ST 250 ppm (760 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 3100 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 3100.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 3100 ppm | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Methyl Acetate 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.
Methyl Acetate boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 56.7 °C (134.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 57.22 °C (135 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 56.89 °C (134.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Methyl Acetate melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -98.2 °C (-144.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -98.33 °C (-145 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -97.78 °C (-144 °F) | CAMEO |
Methyl Acetate density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.93 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.9342 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.927 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Methyl Acetate solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, ether | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in ethyl ether, ethanol | HSDB | ||
| In water, 2.43X10+5 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Methyl Acetate vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 173 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 170 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 216.2 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Methyl Acetate flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -10 °C (14 °F) | closed cup | HSDB |
| -5.56 °C (22 °F) | HSDB | ||
| -13 °C (8.6 °F) | HSDB |
Methyl Acetate autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 454.44 °C (850 °F) | HSDB | |
| 501.67 °C (935 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 505 °C (941 °F) | ICSC |
Methyl Acetate lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.1 % by volume | HSDB |
Methyl Acetate upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 16 % by volume | HSDB |
Methyl Acetate vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2.55 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.8 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 2.6 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Methyl Acetate odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | WATER: 3.0 MG/L; AIR: 4.6 UL/L; ODOR SAFETY CLASS B; B= 50-90% OF DISTRACTED PERSONS PERCEIVE WARNING OF TLV | HSDB | |
| 610 mg/cu m (odor low), 915 mg/cu m (odor high). | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.17 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Methyl Acetate critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 233.7 °C (452.7 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Methyl Acetate fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Methyl Acetate fire potential
Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Methyl Acetate storage and handling
Methyl Acetate safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants, strong acids and strong bases.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Methyl Acetate storage conditions
Store in a flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet away from ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials. ... Methyl acetate must be stored to avoid contact with strong oxidizers (such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine) and strong acids (such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric), since violent reactions occur. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from strong alkalis and nitrates. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where methyl acetate is used, handled or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of methyl acetate.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Methyl Acetate incompatible materials
Forms explosive mixture with air. a strong reducing agent. Incompatible with water, acids, nitrates, strong oxidizers, alkalis. Attacks some plastics. Attacks many metals in teh presence of water. Reacts slowly with water, forming acetic acid and methanol.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Methyl Acetate reactivity
METHYL ACETATE presents a fire or explosion hazard when exposed to strong oxidizing agents. Emits irritating fumes and acrid smoke when heated to decomposition, [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 826]. Its reactivity is consistent with other compounds of the ester group.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Methyl Acetate in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Methyl Acetate UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
Methyl Acetate under UN 1231 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| METHYL ACETATE | 3 | F1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 3 is “Flammable liquids” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methyl acetate | 3 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 3 is “Flammable and combustible liquid” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Methyl Acetate — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Methyl Acetate?
The CAS number of Methyl Acetate is 79-20-9. Its EC number is 201-185-2.
What does a Methyl Acetate label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Methyl Acetate carries the pictograms Flame and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Methyl Acetate flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Methyl Acetate H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is -10 °C (14 °F), closed cup (HSDB).
Is Methyl Acetate a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Methyl Acetate. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for Methyl Acetate?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Methyl Acetate is 200.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Methyl Acetate?
The boiling point reported for Methyl Acetate is 56.7 °C (134.1 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Methyl Acetate?
The melting point reported for Methyl Acetate is -98.2 °C (-144.8 °F) (HSDB).
How should Methyl Acetate be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Methyl Acetate the storage statement P403. Store in a flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet away from ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials. ... Methyl acetate must be stored to avoid contact with strong oxidizers (such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine) and strong acids (such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric), since violent reactions occur. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from strong alkalis and nitrates. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where methyl acetate is used, handled or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of methyl acetate. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Methyl Acetate
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