Isopropyl formate is an organic chemical compound. Like many other aliphatic carboxylic acid esters, it has a pleasant 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:
HCOOH + (CH3)2CHOH → C4H8O2 + H2O 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.
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