Sigma-Aldrich Ethyl Formate Reagent Grad

Ethyl formate is an ethyl ester of formic acid. Its microwave spectrum indicates the presence of two isomeric forms having the ethyl group cis to the carbonyl oxygen atom but having different arrangement of the methyl group about the -CH₂-O bond.[1] Kinetics of its pyrolytic decomposition to the corresponding acid and alkene has been reported.[2]

Ethyl formate has been used in the preparation of N-(2-triethoxysilylpropyl) formamide.[3] It has been used in the synthesis of N-methyl-3-phenylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-amine hydrochloride.[4]
It may be used in the synthesis of isoflavone.[5]