Physical properties:

Methyl p-Toluenesulfonate (CAS 80-48-8) is a strong methylating agent in organic synthesis. It is moisture-sensitive, soluble in organic solvents, and has a molecular weight of 186.23g/mol. It is hazardous, causing skin burns and potential genetic defects.

Key Properties and Specifications:

Appearance: White crystalline solid or light yellow liquid

Melting Point: 25−28∘C (lit.)

Boiling Point: 144−145∘C at 5mmHg

Density: 1.234g/mL at 25∘C

Refractive Index: 𝑛20/𝐷1.5172

Solubility: Soluble in alcohol, ether, and benzene; insoluble in water

Stability: Moisture sensitive; store at 2−8∘C

Hazard Identification: Danger: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage (H314), harmful if swallowed (H302), and may cause an allergic skin reaction (H317)

Common Applications:

• Methylating Agent: Used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals.
• Analytical Chemistry: Used as an oxidation catalyst in chromatography (GC-MS, LC-MS).
• Polymer Industry: Used as a coupling agent for cationic polymers.

Key Synonyms and Identifiers

• 𝑝-Toluenesulfonic acid methyl ester
• Methyl 𝑝-tosylate
• Methyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate
• Methyl toluene-4-sulfonate
• Methanol, p-toluenesulfonate
• Methyl-4-toluenesulfonate
• 4-Methylbenzenesulfonic acid methyl ester

Methyl p-toluenesulfonate (CAS 80-48-8) is a powerful methylating agent and organic intermediate, primarily used in chemical synthesis, pharmaceuticals, and dye manufacturing. It acts as a catalyst for alkyd resins and a reagent for modifying molecular structures. It is a low-melting solid/liquid, commonly used to transfer methyl groups.

Key Uses and Applications

• Organic Synthesis & Methylation: Used as a strong methylating agent to introduce methyl groups into various organic compounds.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: Employed in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and the selective 1-substitution of tetrazoles.
• Chemical Manufacturing & Catalysis: Acts as a catalyst in the production of alkyd resins and in the preparation of dyes, enhancing stability and color.
• Research & Analytical Chemistry: Used in chemical research as a reagent and in analytical chemistry as a derivatizing agent in chromatography.
• Specialty Polymers: Acts as a coupling agent to improve the durability and resistance of polymers.

Key Information

• Molecular Formula: 𝐶8𝐻10𝑂3𝑆
• Safety Hazards: Corrosive, causes skin/eye burns, and is suspected of causing genetic defects.