Colorless to yellowish oil
Product ID: MEBZO
CAS: 93-58-3
Formula: C8H8O2
MW: 136.15g/mol
Density: 0.80-1.1g/ml
BP: 196-202C
Flash point: 78-83C

Methyl benzoate (Oil of Niobe) is a pleasant smelling ester of benzoic acid and
methanol. It is insoluble in water but readily dissolves in alcohols, oils, paraffins, and
other organic solvents.
In synthetic chemistry, methyl benzoate can be selectively brominated, nitrated,
chlorinated, hydrogenated, or amidated in several useful aromatic derivatives.
In the air care industries, the pleasant smell of methyl benzoate is utilized in air
fresheners, perfumes, deodorants, etc.
In agro-business, methyl benzoate is finding uses as a safer alternative fumigant
displacing toxic incumbents such as sulfuryl fluoride, methyl bromide, hydrogen
cyanide, nitric oxide, etc.
Methyl benzoate is also used as a carrier solvent for dyes, cellulose esters, etc.
Other important uses include:
bees attractant or bait
insect repellant or insecticide
preservative
masking agent