Methyl acetate, also known as
MeOAc,
acetic acid methyl ester or
methyl ethanoate, is a carboxylate
ester with the formula CH
3COOCH
3. It is a flammable liquid with a characteristically pleasant smell reminiscent of some
glues and nail polish removers. Methyl acetate is occasionally used as a
solvent, being weakly polar and
lipophilic, but its close relative
ethyl acetate is a more common solvent being less toxic and less soluble in water. Methyl acetate has a
solubility of 25% in water at room temperature. At elevated temperature its solubility in water is much higher. Methyl acetate is not stable in the presence of strong aqueous
bases or aqueous
acids. Methyl acetate is not considered as a
VOC.