Chemical Properties
Triethyl borate is a Colorless liquid; mild odor. Hydrolyzes rapidly depositing boric acid in finely divided crystalline form.
Definition
ChEBI: A member of the class of borate esters obtained by the formal condensation of three equivalents of ethanol with boric acid.
Preparation
Triethyl borate can be prepared by adding anhydrous ethanol with boric acid or boron trioxide. Can be purified via distillation.
Hazard
Flammable, dangerous fire risk.
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by ingestion. Aneye irritant. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed toheat or flame. When heated to decomposition it emitsacrid smoke and irritating fumes.
Purification Methods
Dry it over sodium, then distil it. Also fractionate it through a gauze packed column. [Charnlet et al. J Chem Soc 2288 1952, as for tributyl borate Johnson & Tompkins Org Synth Coll Vol II 106 1943, Beilstein 1 III 1339, 1 IV 1365.]