Methyl Formate (Methyl Methanoate) is the simplest of all the organic ester molecules.
It is formic acid molecule (Methanoic Acid) ( H-COOH ) with the acidic hydrogen in the carboxylic acid group ( - COOH )
replaced with an alkyl radical (methyl Group) (-CH3).
An Ester results when a carboxylic acid ( R-COOH ) reacts with an alcohol ( R'-OH )
usually in a hydrogen ion catalyst and a water molecule is form linking the alcohol to the carboxylic acid with an esterfication link ( R-COO-R' )
R and R' stands for any alkyl group.