Ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate

Synonym(s):Ethyl 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate

CAS NO.：80-55-7
Empirical Formula: C6H12O3
Molecular Weight: 132.16
MDL number: MFCD00004458
EINECS: 201-290-3
SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
Update Date: 2026-05-28 03:52:21

What is Ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate?

Description

Ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate (E-2HIBA) has a wide range of applications in flavor and fragrance ingredients, green solvents, and pharmaceuticals. E-2HIBA has been synthesized by the batch transesterification of methyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate with ethanol in the presence of titanium tetraethoxide (reaction conditions: 96 h, yield 97 %) and the esterification of 2-HIBA with an acid catalyst. The direct esterification of 2-HIBA with ethanol using an acid catalyst appears to be a commercially viable approach to produce E-2HIBA [1].

Chemical properties

clear colorless liquid

The Uses of Ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate

Solvent for nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate; solvent mixture for cellulose ethers, organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals.

References

[1] Sripada, Sarada and James R. Kastner. “Continuous catalytic esterification using a solid acid activated carbon monolith: Comparison of granular and monolith forms with a commercial catalyst.” Chemical Engineering Journal 43 29 (2023): 0.

Properties of Ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate

Melting point:	78 °C
Boiling point:	150 °C (lit.)
Density	0.965 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
refractive index	n20/D 1.408(lit.)
Flash point:	112 °F
storage temp.	Flammables area
form	clear liquid
pka	13.28±0.29(Predicted)
color	Colorless to Almost colorless
BRN	878308
InChI	InChI=1S/C6H12O3/c1-4-9-5(7)6(2,3)8/h8H,4H2,1-3H3
CAS DataBase Reference	80-55-7(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference	Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-, ethyl ester(80-55-7)
EPA Substance Registry System	Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-, ethyl ester (80-55-7)

Safety information for Ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate

Signal word	Warning
Pictogram(s)	Flame Flammables GHS02
GHS Hazard Statements	H226:Flammable liquids
Precautionary Statement Codes	P210:Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking. P370+P378:In case of fire: Use … for extinction.