Ethyl formate

Hydrolysis

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

hydrolysis

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

data from handbook or collection of data

Justification for type of information:

Data is from handbook, authoritative databases and secondary source

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: as mentioned below

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Determination of alkaline hydrolysis rate constant and half-life of test chemical.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Radiolabelling:

not specified

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Remarks:

The study was performed at pH 7.0 and 8.0, respectively.

Positive controls:

not specified

Negative controls:

not specified

Transformation products:

yes

No.:

#1

No.:

#2

Key result

pH:

7

Temp.:

25 °C

DT50:

3.1 d

Type:

not specified

Remarks on result:

other: Hydrolysis rate constant of test chemical was determined to be 25.7 L/mol-sec.

Key result

pH:

8

Temp.:

25 °C

DT50:

7.5 h

Type:

not specified

Remarks on result:

other: Hydrolysis rate constant of test chemical was determined to be 25.7 L/mol-sec.

Details on results:

Test chemical hydrolyzes by an acid- or base-catalyzed reaction, although the base- catalyzed reaction is faster. The hydrolysis products of test chemical were formic acid and ethanol, respectively

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

The alkaline hydrolysis rate constant of test chemical was determined to be 25.7 L/mol-sec with a corresponding half-lives of 3.1 days and 7.5 hr at pH 7 and 8, respectively. The hydrolysis products of test chemical were formic acid and ethanol, respectively.

Executive summary:

The half-life and alkaline hydrolysis rate constant of the test chemical was determined at a temperature of 25°C. The alkaline hydrolysis rate constant of test chemical was determined to be 25.7L/mol-sec with a corresponding half-lives of 3.1 days and 7.5 hr at pH 7 and 8, and temperature of 25°C, respectively.The hydrolysis products of test chemical were formic acid and ethanol, respectively. Based on the half-life values, it is concluded that the test chemical undergoes moderate to slow hydrolysis in water.

Description of key information

The half-life and alkaline hydrolysis rate constant of the test chemical was determined at a temperature of 25°C (from handbook, authoritative databases and secondary source). The alkaline hydrolysis rate constant of test chemical was determined to be 25.7L/mol-sec with a corresponding half-lives of 3.1 days and 7.5 hr at pH 7 and 8, and temperature of 25°C, respectively.The hydrolysis products of test chemical were formic acid and ethanol, respectively. Based on the half-life values, it is concluded that the test chemical undergoes moderate to slow hydrolysis in water.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Half-life for hydrolysis:

3.1 d

at the temperature of:

25 °C

Additional information

Experimental study and various predicted data of the test chemical were reviewed for the hydrolysis end point which are summarized as below:

 

In an experimental key study from handbook, authoritative databases and secondary source,the half-life and alkaline hydrolysis rate constant of the test chemical was determined at a temperature of 25°C. The alkaline hydrolysis rate constant of test chemical was determined to be 25.7L/mol-sec with a corresponding half-lives of 3.1 days and 7.5 hr at pH 7 and 8, and temperature of 25°C, respectively. The hydrolysis products of test chemical were formic acid and ethanol, respectively. Based on the half-life values, it is concluded that the test chemical undergoes moderate to slow hydrolysis in water.

 

In an another study (E. Rorije et. al., 1997), hydrolysis half-life value of test chemical was estimated using the HYDROWIN model. The models have been applied are Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships. This model yields the second order alkaline hydrolysis reaction rate constant of chemical at pH 7.0. To arrive at an environmental half-life, this reaction rate constant should be multiplied by the concentration of hydroxyl ions in water. The hydrolysis half-live value of test chemical was determined to be 6.34 days at pH 7, respectively. The hydrolysis products of test chemical were formic acid and ethanol, respectively. Based on the half-life value, it is concluded that the test chemical undergoes slow hydrolysis in water.

 

HYDROWIN v2.00 program of Estimation Programs Interface prediction model was used to predict the hydrolysis half-life of test chemical (2018). The estimated half-life of test chemical was determined to be 5.411 days at pH 7.0 and 12.987 hrs at pH 8.0 (at 25ᵒC) respectively with a hydrolysis rate constant of 14.83 L/mol-sec. Thus, based on the half-life value, it indicates that test chemical undergoes moderate to slow hydrolysis in water.

 

On the basis of the above results of test chemical(fromhandbook, authoritative databases and secondary source,2017), it can be concluded that the hydrolysis half-life value of test chemicalranges from 7.5 hr to 6.34 days, indicating that the test chemical undergoes moderate to slow hydrolysis in water.

Hydrolysis endpoint can also be considered for waiver as per in accordance with column 2 of Annex VIII of the REACH regulation, testing for this endpoint is scientifically not necessary and does not need to be conducted since the test chemical is readily biodegradable in water.