HCOOCH CH2 H2O is an ethyl formate (HCOOC 2H 5) complex with water molecules that constitutes a special hydrated complex used in many industries, food science, and chemistry studies.
HCOOCH CH2 H2O is a kind of the joint of organic chemistry and molecular hydration studies.
Molecular Properties and Chemical Structure
Simple Molecular Structure
The structure of HCOOCH CH2 H2O has a molecule formula C 3 H 6 O 2 coupled with water and belongs to the family of hydrated aliphatic esters.
Interaction of water molecules with ethyl formate leads to the existence of a stable hydrated complex, HCOOCH CH2 H2O, in which the water molecules build hydrogen bonds with ester oxygen atoms.
The Molecular structure of HCOOCH CH2 H2O is:
- HCOO- group of formic acid
- C2H 5-, ethyl group of ethanol
- Hydrogen bonded water molecules with the carbonyl oxygen
Physical and Chemical properties
When crystallized HCOOCH CH2 H2O formed it is a clear liquid, colourless, and of sweet, rumlike smell. The hydrated material has a number of specific features:
- Density and Solubility: It is less dense than water and the vapors have more weights than the air lacks with. The compound is called HCOOCH CH2 H2O and it becomes soluble in water and decomposes gradually into formic acid and ethyl alcohol.
- Thermal Properties: flash point of -4F is highly flammable hence care must be used to handle and store it.
Pathways of Formation and Synthesis
Esterification Process
Ethanol and formic acid combine to produce HCOOCH CH2 H2O, as with the general esterification reaction.
Insertion of the molecules of water during formation, or presence of the molecule water in the environment causes formation of the hydrated complex HCOOCH CH2 H2O.
Hydration Mechanisms
Water molecules become associated with the HCOOCH CH2 H2O structure as follows:
- Carbonyl oxygen Hydrogen Bonding
- Dipole-dipole interactions
- Van der waals forces
- Forming of solvation shells
Commercial Uses and Industrial Applications
Solvent Applications
The HCOOCH CH2 H2O complex is a solvent of cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, oils and greases in industry. The solvation properties of polar compounds in the hydrated form are better than in the anhydrous condition.
Applications in Food Industry
HCOOCH CH2 H2O is found naturally in plant oils, fruits and juices and gives a contribution to raspberry flavour. The compound is applied as a flavouring agent in lemonades and artificial alcoholic drinks.
Food Safety Status: This chemical is relatively safe as the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. has deemed it safe.
Pest Control and Agricultural
In processed foods including dried fruits and cereals, HCOOCH CH2 H2O is used as a fungicide and larvicide.
The fumigating and preservation of the tobacco products is also done with the use of the hydrated form of HCOOCH CH2 H2O.
Metabolic pathways and biological Significance
Natural Occurrence
HCOOCH CH2 H2O or the raspberry flavor partly comes through this compound which is found naturally in a number of plant sources. The hydrate is regularly found in biological programs, which have much water available.
Formate Metabolism
The formate is a typical C-1 source in living organisms, which is synthesized using precursors such as choline, serine and sarcosine. This indicates biological significance of the compounds containing formate.
Health Effects and Safety Considerations
Occupational Hazards
OSHA states that HCOOCH CH2 H2O is a mucous membrane, eye, skin and respiratory tract irritant that is also a central nervous system depressant. Correct working procedure is mandatory with HCOOCH CH2 H2O.
The Chemical, Hazards Fire
The chemical is very flammable and the vapor can travel great distances to ignition points and flash both. It falls in UN Hazard Class No 3, Pack Group II.
Decomposition Products
HCOOCH CH2 H2O is being slowly broken down to formic acid (a corrosive substance) and ethyl alcohol, which brings consequences to procedures on storing and handling HCOOCH CH2 H2O compounds.
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Detection and analytical Methods
Spectroscopic Identification
- Quantitative-analysis using gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry (GC-MS)
- NMR structural confirmation
- Functional group recognition Infrared spectroscopy
- UV-Visible spectroscopy of concentration determination
Physical Testing Parameters
- Determination of a boiling point
- Density measurements
- Analysis of refractive index
- Computation of vapor pressure
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Biodegradation Pathways
Submerged in water, ethyl formate can hydrolyse to formic acid and ethanol, which are biodegradable compounds of easy degradation.
Uses of Green Chemistry
The chemical is more ecofriendly than the conventional solvents in certain applications especially when acetone is to be replaced.
Future directions of the research
Molecular Dynamics Study
Computational chemistry is becoming sophisticated to unearth the hidden aspect of the interactions between waters and esters and this may result in enhanced industrial usage.
Biotechnology Applications
Studies of the metabolic pathway of formate might open a new biotechnological exploitation of ethyl formate and derivatives.
Sustainable Processes of Production
Research in the establishment of green synthesis processes based on renewable feedstocks is currently underway.
The Standard and Quality Control
Analytical Standards
- Industrial grades purity specification
- Food grade applications limits of contamination
- Storage stability Essentials
- Safety regulation in transport
Regulatory Compliance
There are some national and international standards to be followed by industries in the production, storage, and distribution of the ethyl formate and its derivatives.
Conclusion
The HCOOCH CH2 H2O ethyl formate hydrate complex is an interesting example of a combination of organic chemistry, manufacturing science and biology.
The knowledge about properties, formation means, and applications of HCOOCH CH2 H2O is helpful to the researchers, industrial chemists and safety specialists.
With the current research under progress, more uses and better handling techniques of the HCOOCH CH2 H2O may also be discovered increasing the value of this multipurpose chemical compound.
The mixed use of the compound as both a useful industrial chemical and a naturally occurring flavor compound illustrates the intricate interaction between the field of synthetic chemistry and the natural processes.
Understanding and treatments of ethyl formate and hydrate forms are important as it would enable safe and good practices across various industries.
