Ethyl Chloroformate
CAS 541-41-3 · ClCOOC₂H₅ · MW 108.52
The go-to chloroformate for carbamate bond formation, amine protection and mixed-anhydride peptide coupling. Chelora supplies technical, pharma and high-purity reagent grades with full hazardous-goods documentation and batch-specific COA.
- Technical & pharma grades
- Full DG documentation
- Reagent grade ≥ 99.5 %
≥ 99 %
pharma-grade purity
UN 1182 · Class 6.1 (Subsidiary 3, 8) · Packing Group I — Reacts violently with water and moisture
Produces HCl gas, ethanol and CO₂ on contact with water. Handle under anhydrous conditions with full DG-compliant PPE and ventilation.
CAS number
541-41-3
Boiling point
93 – 95 °C
Flash point
16 °C
UN / DG class
1182 · 6.1
Product overview
The chloroformate of choice for carbamate chemistry
Ethyl chloroformate (ethyl carbonochloridate, ECF) is a low-molecular-weight chloroformate ester widely employed as an acylating and carbonylating reagent in organic synthesis. Its reactivity derives from the electrophilic carbonyl carbon flanked by the chloride leaving group and the ethoxy donor — a combination that makes it one of the most versatile C1 carbonyl transfer agents available.
The principal industrial application is in carbamate pesticide manufacture, where ECF reacts with amines and oximes to form the carbamate (urethane) linkage central to the mode of action of N-methylcarbamate insecticides. In pharmaceutical chemistry, it is the standard reagent for the mixed-anhydride method of peptide coupling — reacting with an amino acid's carboxylate to form a mixed carbonic anhydride that is then aminolysed by the second amino acid.
ECF also enables amine protection: treatment of an amine with ethyl chloroformate gives the corresponding ethyl carbamate (urethane), which can be cleaved under mild acidic or hydrogenolytic conditions. This strategy is used to mask amino groups during multi-step API synthesis. Additionally, thermal decomposition of carbamate intermediates derived from ECF provides a phosgene-free route to specialty isocyanates for polyurethane and polycarbonate manufacture.
Chelora supplies ethyl chloroformate in technical, pharma and electronic/reagent grades, packaged in aluminium bottles and epoxy-lined steel drums. Every shipment includes a batch-specific COA, SDS and full dangerous-goods shipping documentation compliant with ADR, IMDG and IATA regulations.
Technical specifications
Applications & end uses
Industries that depend on Ethyl Chloroformate
Carbamate pesticide synthesis
Ethyl chloroformate is the principal reagent for forming the carbamate (urethane) linkage in N-methylcarbamate insecticides and fungicides. It reacts with amines to produce ethoxycarbonyl intermediates that are converted to the target carbamate pesticide active ingredients.
Pharmaceutical N-protection (Cbz groups)
In peptide and API synthesis, ECF enables introduction of the ethoxycarbonyl protecting group on amines. Mixed anhydride methods using ethyl chloroformate with amino acids are widely employed in solution-phase peptide coupling, enabling selective amide bond formation.
Isocyanate production
Ethyl chloroformate serves as a precursor in isocyanate synthesis via thermal decomposition of the corresponding carbamate intermediates. This phosgene-free route is increasingly preferred for specialty isocyanates used in polyurethane manufacture.
Polycarbonate intermediates
ECF participates in the preparation of carbonate monomers and diaryl carbonates used in polycarbonate resin production. These engineering polymers find applications in optical media, automotive glazing and electronic housings.
Laboratory reagent
As a mild and selective acylating agent, ethyl chloroformate is a standard bench reagent for mixed anhydride peptide coupling, ester activation, and conversion of carboxylic acids to mixed anhydrides for subsequent aminolysis or reduction.
Agrochemical intermediates
Beyond carbamates, ethyl chloroformate enters the synthesis of oxime carbamate insecticides and various herbicide intermediates, serving as the carbonyl-chloride donor in reactions with hydroxylamine derivatives and substituted phenols.
Available grades
Technical, pharma and high-purity options
≥ 98.0 %
Technical grade
Agrochemicals, polymers, industrial synthesis
≥ 99.0 %
Pharma grade
API intermediates, peptide synthesis
≥ 99.5 %
Electronic / Reagent grade
High-purity research, analytical, electronic chemicals
Packaging options
DG-compliant packaging for safe transport
25 kg — Aluminium bottle with screw cap
Standard lab and pilot-scale unit
200 kg — Epoxy-lined mild steel drum
Bulk manufacturing supply
ISO tank — Stainless steel ISO tank container
Large-volume continuous-process orders
Documentation supplied
Complete paperwork for EHS and regulatory
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Batch-specific results for assay, acidity, water content, colour, density and refractive index.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
GHS-format 16-section SDS covering toxicity, flammability, handling, first aid and disposal.
Specification sheet
Limit values for every test parameter for technical, pharma and reagent grades.
Transport / DG documentation
UN 1182 compliant shipping declaration, IMDG/ADR labels and emergency response guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Ethyl Chloroformate
What hazard classifications apply to Ethyl Chloroformate?+
Why is Ethyl Chloroformate moisture-sensitive?+
What grades of Ethyl Chloroformate does Chelora supply?+
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