Isopropyl formate


Isopropyl formate is an organic chemical compound. Like many other aliphatic carboxylic acid esters, it has an odor. It is described as pleasant and fruit-like, similar to plums or pears. In fact, many fruits contain isopropyl formate, but their smell is determined by a combination of esters, not by isopropyl formate alone.

Production

Isopropyl formate can be produced by a typical Fischer Esterification, of isopropyl alcohol and formic acid, catalyzed by sulfuric acid:

Use

Isopropyl formate can be used as a flavour.

Fate

When released in the atmosphere, isopropyl formate is mostly degraded by reaction with hydroxyl radicals and secondarily by chlorine atoms.