Product Safety Assessment

Trimethyl Borate
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Names
Product Overview
Manufacture of Product
Product Description
Product Uses
Exposure Potential
Health Information
Environmental Information
Physical Hazard Information
Regulatory Information
Additional Information
References
Names

CAS No. 121-43-7

Trimethyl borate

Boric acid, trimethyl ester

Methyl borate
Trimethyl borate azeotrope
Trimethoxyborane

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Product Overview

Trimethyl borate (TMB) is a colorless, clear liquid of relatively pure (>99 %) trimethyl borate. It is miscible with most organic liquids.
1,2
It is also available as a 70% solution in methanol (CAS No. 67-56-1) known as TMB azeotrope. For further details, see Product
Description.

Trimethyl borate is used in the production of complex molecules for pharmaceuticals and other products via Suzuki chemistry,
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which are increasingly used in the synthesis of active ingredients for agrochemical and pharmaceutical use. For further details,
see Product Uses.
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Dow does not sell trimethyl borate for direct consumer use. Direct consumer contact with this product is unlikely. For further
details, see Exposure Potential.

Contact may cause moderate eye or skin irritation. This product may be harmful if absorbed through the skin. Inhalation of vapor or
mist may cause irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and lack of
coordination. Swallowing this product may cause headache, dizziness, and lack of coordination as well as gastrointestinal
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irritation. For further details, see Health Information.

Trimethyl borate will not persist in the environment. The compound reacts rapidly with water to form methanol, hydrogen gas and
boric acid. These compounds have a low bioconcentration potential and are not likely to accumulate in the food chain. Methanol is
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practically non-toxic to aquatic organisms on an acute basis while boric acid is considered moderately toxic.
For further details,
see Environmental Information.
Trimethyl borate is stable under recommended storage and normal use conditions. Avoid contact with water. Avoid contact with
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oxidizing agents and acids. This product is flammable as liquid and vapor. For further details, see Physical Hazard Information.
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Revised: July 30, 2014

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Product Safety Assessment: Trimethyl Borate

Manufacture of Product

Location Rohm and Haas Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, and its global affiliates
manufacture trimethyl borate in the U.S.A.

Process Trimethyl borate is produced from boric acid and methanol.

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1,2

Product Description
Trimethyl borate (TMB) is a colorless, clear liquid of relatively pure (>99 %) trimethyl borate. It is miscible with most organic liquids and
hydrolyzes rapidly in water to form methanol and boric acid. It is also available as a 70% solution in methanol (CAS No. 67-56-1) known
as TMB azeotrope.
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3,6

Product Uses
Trimethyl borate is a precursor to boronics, which are chemicals used in Suzuki coupling. It is used in the production of complex
molecules for pharmaceuticals and other products using Suzuki chemistry, which are increasingly used in the synthesis of active
ingredients for agrochemical and pharmaceutical use. Trimethyl borate can also be used as a solvent or dehydrating agent.
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1,4

Exposure Potential
Trimethyl borate is used in the production of industrial products. Based on the uses for this product, individuals could be exposed
through:

Workplace exposure Exposure can occur either in facilities that manufacture trimethyl borate or in the various industrial or
manufacturing facilities that use this product. Trimethyl borate is produced, transported, and stored in closed containers until time
for use. Those working with trimethyl borate in manufacturing operations could be exposed during maintenance, sampling, testing,
or other procedures. Each manufacturing facility should have a thorough training program for employees and appropriate work
processes, ventilation, and safety equipment in place to limit exposure. See Health Information.

Consumer exposure to products containing trimethyl borate Dow does not sell trimethyl borate for direct consumer use.
Direct consumer contact with this product is unlikely.

Environmental releases Releases of trimethyl borate to the environment are expected to be limited since most of the product is
used in closed systems. Releases to the environment would result in trimethyl borate reacting rapidly with water or moisture in the
air resulting in the release of methanol, hydrogen gas, and boric acid. Since methanol is readily biodegradable, it would be
removed from water and soil environments, including wastewater treatment facilities. Hydrogen would rapidly volatilize to the
atmosphere while boric acid would remain in the aqueous environment. Keep spills and cleaning runoff out of municipal sewers
and open bodies of water. Contain spills immediately with inert materials (e.g. sand, earth). Transfer liquids and solid diking
material to separate, suitable containers for recovery or disposal. Environmental, Health, and Physical Hazard Information.

Large release Industrial spills or releases are infrequent and generally contained. If a large spill does occur, the product should
be captured, collected, and reprocessed or disposed of according to applicable governmental requirements. An approved positivepressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full-face mask is recommended for emergency work. Eliminate all
sources of ignition immediately. Use only explosion-proof equipment; ground and bond all containers and handling equipment. See
Environmental, Health, and Physical Hazard Information.

In case of fire Trimethyl borate is flammable. Store away from potential sources of ignition. Deny any unnecessary entry into the
area. Use water spray or fog, carbon-dioxide or dry-chemical extinguishers, or foam to fight the fire. Use of a direct water stream
may spread the fire and will produce flammable materials as the product hydrolyzes. Toxic vapors may be produced when this
product is heated or burned. Firefighters should wear positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective
firefighting clothing. Keep vapors out of sewers. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel a long distance and accumulate in lowlying areas. The public should be warned of downwind vapor explosion hazards. Immediately withdraw all personnel from the area
in case of rising sounds from venting safety device or discolorations of the container. Keep fire water out of waterways and sewers
to minimize the potential for environmental damage. Follow emergency procedures carefully. See Environmental, Health, and
Physical Hazard Information.
For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.
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Revised: July 30, 2014

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Product Safety Assessment: Trimethyl Borate

Health Information
Eye contact Contact may cause moderate irritation.
Skin contact Contact may cause moderate irritation. Prolonged or repeated contact with liquid may cause defatting of the skin
resulting in dryness, redness, and possible blistering. This product may be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Inhalation Inhalation of vapor or mist may cause irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness,
drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
Ingestion Swallowing this product may cause headache, dizziness, and lack of coordination, as well as gastrointestinal irritation,
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.
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1,6,7

Environmental Information
Trimethyl borate reacts rapidly with water or moisture in the air to form methanol, hydrogen gas, and boric acid. The methanol and
boric acid will tend to remain in water with little tendency to bind to soil or sediment, while hydrogen will volatilize to the atmosphere.
Trimethyl borate will not persist in the environment due to its rapid reaction with water. Since methanol is readily biodegradable, it
would be removed from water and soil environments, including wastewater treatment facilities.
Methanol, hydrogen, and boric acid have a low bioconcentration potential and are not likely to accumulate in the food chain. Methanol is
practically non-toxic to aquatic organisms on an acute basis (LC50/EC50 >100 mg/L) while boric acid is considered moderately toxic
(LC50/EC50 between 1 and 10 mg/L for the most sensitive species).
For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.
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Physical Hazard Information

Trimethyl borate is considered stable under recommended storage and normal use conditions. Avoid contact with water. Trimethyl
borate rapidly reacts in the presence of water.
Trimethyl borate is flammable as liquid and vapor. Store away from excessive heat and potential sources of ignition. Avoid contact with
oxidizing agents and acids.
For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.
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Regulatory Information
Regulations may exist that govern the manufacture, sale, transportation, use, and/or disposal of trimethyl borate. These regulations
may vary by city, state, country, or geographic region. Information may be found by consulting the relevant Safety Data Sheet,
Technical Data Sheet, or Contact Us.
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Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow

Revised: July 30, 2014

The Dow Chemical Company

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Product Safety Assessment: Trimethyl Borate

Additional Information

Safety Data Sheet (www.dow.com/webapps/msds/msdssearch or www.dow.com/products/msds/10035083)

Contact Us (www.dow.com/assistance/dowcig)

Trimethyl Borate Pure Technical Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company (http://www.dow.com/products/product/trimethyl-boratepure/)

Trimethyl Borate Pure: Precursor for Boronic Acids/Esters, Rohm and Haas Company, October 2005
(www.dow.com/assets/attachments/business/process_chemicals/coupling_precursors/trimethyl_borate_pure/docs/TrimethylBorate
Pure[1].pdf)

Product List for Borohydride and Companion Products, The Dow Chemical Company, Form No. 844-00018
(http://www.dow.com/productsafety/assess/finder.htm)

Methanol CAS: 67-56-1, Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) Initial Assessment Report for SIAM 19, Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Berlin, Germany, October
18-20, 2004 (http://webnet.oecd.org/Hpv/UI/SIDS_Details.aspx?id=39B5D34A-2F5D-4D53-B000-E497B3A3EE89)

Trimethyl Borate, CASRN: 121-43-7, Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), U.S. National Library of Medicine, TOXNET
(http://www.echemportal.org/echemportal/substancesearch/substancesearchlink.action;jsessionid=E6205C570353A5C6492576C0
318A6180)
For more business information about trimethyl borate, visit the website for VenPure Products for Fine Chemical Synthesis at
www.dow.com/sbh/ or www.hydridesolutions.com.
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References
1
Trimethyl Borate Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company
2
Product List for Borohydride and Companion Products, The Dow Chemical Company, Form No. 844-00018
3
Trimethyl Borate Pure: Precursor for Boronic Acids/Esters Technical Data Sheet, Rohm and Haas Company
4
Trimethyl Borate, International Chemical Safety Cards, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, April 4, 2006, pages 1
and 2.
5
Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) Initial Assessment Report for SIAM 19, Methanol CAS: 67-56-1, Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Berlin, Germany, October 1820, 2004,
pages 5 and 6.
6
Trimethyl Borate CASRN: 121-43-7, Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), U.S. National Library of Medicine, TOXNET,
Environmental Fate & Exposure section.
7
Methanol CAS: 67-56-1, Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) Initial Assessment Report for SIAM 19, Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Berlin, Germany, October 1820, 2004,
pages 5 and 6.

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Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow

Revised: July 30, 2014

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Product Safety Assessment: Trimethyl Borate

NOTICES
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This product safety assessment is intended to give general information about the chemical (or categories of chemicals) addressed. It is
not intended to provide an in-depth discussion of health and safety information. Additional information is available through the relevant
Safety Data Sheet, which should be consulted before use of the chemical. This product safety assessment does not replace required
communication documents such as the Safety Data Sheet.
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Form No. 233-01028-MM-0714X

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Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow

Revised: July 30, 2014

The Dow Chemical Company

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