Methyl lactate

Chemical compound

Methyl lactate, also known as lactic acid methyl ester, is the organic compound with the formula CH₃CH(OH)CO₂CH₃. It is the methyl ester of lactic acid. A colorless liquid, it is the simplest chiral ester. Being naturally derived, it is readily available as a single enantiomer.

Uses

It is a solvent for nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetobutyrate and cellulose acetopropionate. It is used in the manufacture of lacquers and dopes where it contributes high tolerance for diluents, good flaw and blush resistance.^[2]

The synthesis of 1,2-propanediol from methyl lactate has been commercialized using a MACHO catalyst.^[3]

See also

• Ethyl lactate, a more commonly used ester of lactic acid

References

1. GHS: Record of Methyl lactate in the GESTIS Substance Database of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
2. "Industrial Solvents Handbook" by Ernest W. Flick. 5th Edition. William Andrew Inc., 1998. ISBN 0-8155-1413-1, ISBN 978-0-8155-1413-8
3. Dub, Pavel A.; Gordon, John C. (2018). "The role of the metal-bound N–H functionality in Noyori-type molecular catalysts". Nature Reviews Chemistry. 2 (12): 396–408. doi:10.1038/s41570-018-0049-z. S2CID 106394152.