ABSTRACT
Methyl formate can be released to the environment in gases from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. Release can also occur at sites of production and use. Methyl formate may be formed in ambient air as a by-product of the photochemical reaction of methane and hydroxyl radicals. Methyl formate can be expected to hydrolyze in moist soil; the rate of hydrolysis will increase with alkalinity. Hydrolysis and volatilization can be important fate processes for methyl formate in water. Hydrolysis half-lives of 21.9 days, 2.19 days, 9.1 hr, and 0.91 hr can be predicted at respective pHs of 6, 7, 8, and 9 using an experimentally determined base-catalyzed rate constant at 25 °C. The experimental value of Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from environmental waters is probably significant, but may not be rapid. Methyl formate was identified as a flavor component in tomato fruit.
