Triethyl citrate

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Triethyl citrate
Names
IUPAC name
1,2,3-Triethyl 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate
Other names
Citroflex
Citric acid ethyl ester
E1505
Ethyl citrate
Eudraflex
Hydragen CAT
Properties
C12H20O7
Molar mass 276.283 g/mol
Appearance Colorless oily liquid
Odor Fruity
Density 1.1369 g/cm3 (20 °C)
Melting point −55 °C (−67 °F; 218 K)
Boiling point 294 °C (561 °F; 567 K) (760 mmHg)
235 °C (455 °F; 508 K) (150 mmHg)
6.5 g/100 ml
Solubility Miscible with diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol
Slightly soluble in CCl4, peanut oil
Vapor pressure 6.87·10-4 mmHg (25 °C)
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point 151-155 °C
Related compounds
Related compounds
Citric acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Triethyl citrate is an ester of citric acid and ethanol.

Properties

Chemical

Triethyl citrate is hydrolyzed in basic conditions to give ethanol and citrate salts.

Physical

Triethyl citrate is an oily liquid, poorly soluble in water, but miscible with alcohols.

Availability

Triethyl citrate is sold by various chemical suppliers.

Preparation

Triethyl citrate can be prepared via esterification of citric acid and ethanol. Reactive distillation can be employed.[1] Amberlite resins or zeolite can be used as catalyst.[2]

Projects

  • Food additive
  • Plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  • Pleasant aroma collecting

Handling

Safety

Triethyl citrate has low toxicity and it's used in food industry as additive.

Storage

Triethyl citrate should be stored in closed bottles, away from acids.

Disposal

Triethyl citrate has low toxicity and doesn't require special disposal. Since it's flammable, it can be safely burned outside.

References

  1. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2008, 47 (4), p 1017–1025
  2. Clean Soil Air Water, Vol. 43, Issue 6, June 2015, p. 927–931

Relevant Sciencemadness threads