Ethyl acetate

Description

Ethyl acetate (Ethyl ethanoate) with the chemical formula C4H8O2 appears as a colorless liquid, and it has a pleasant taste when it is diluted. Many industries use this chemical substance as a solvent, especially the paint and coating industries. In this article, we will explain the role of this chemical in different industries and explain ethyl acetate.

Where to buy ethyl acetate?

If you would like to know any further information about ethyl ethanoate and want to buy this chemical, our team at Shanghai Chemex will be glad to help you with that.

What is ethyl acetate?

This chemical is a great solvent that is widely used in the food industry and textile manufacturing. It is interesting to know that this chemical is used in the formulation of perfume because of its fruity, pleasant odor.

Chemical and physical properties

Ethyl acetate appearance: Ethyl ethanoate looks like a colorless liquid that has a fruity, desirable odor. Some of the most important properties of this chemical are listed below:

Chemical formula	C4H8O2
Ethyl acetate density	0.9003 g/cu cm at 20 °C
Molecular weight	88.11
Boiling point	77 °C
Melting point	-83.8 °C
Vapor pressure	77 mm Hg
Another name	Ethyl ethanoate

Actually, about ethyl acetate polarity, this chemical is polar. However, the polarity of this chemical is less than water and acetone.

Are ethyl acetate and water miscible?

No, this chemical solvent is not soluble in water. The reason is because of the strong bonds between hydrogen molecules.

How to produce ethyl ethanoate?

Manufacturers produce it by esterifying ethanol with acetic acid.

“Ethyl-acetate (EA) is generally produced by liquid-phase esterification reaction of ethanol (E) with acetic-acid (AA) in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g. sulphuric acid, or a sulfonic acid ion exchange resin): Acetic-acid(AA)+Ethanol(E)↔Ethyl-acetate(EA)+Water(W) “

Science direct

ethyl acetate uses

This chemical is widely used in the food, textile, and cosmetic industries. Ethyl ethanoate can be used as an alternative to aromatic solvents like toluene. In this part, we will explain some of its applications in detail.

Food industry

Some food industries use this chemical to enhance the flavor of their products. Due to its desirable fruity taste, it has a large role as a flavoring agent. Sometimes this chemical is also used in the food industry as a preservative to increase the shelf life of the product.

Textile industry

This chemical is used in the textile industry to manufacture plastics. It can provide a soft textile, so it is an important raw material.

Cosmetics

This solvent is widely used in perfume manufacturing because it can provide a fruity aroma. It can also control the concentration of perfume, so some manufacturers also use it as a diluting agent.

Acetone vs ethyl acetate

Both of these chemicals are well-known solvents in the chemistry world; however, the difference between these two solvents is that acetone is usually used in organic reactions, while ethyl acetate is rarely used in organic chemistry laboratories and is mainly used in chromatography.

Ethyl acetate hazards

The point that you should consider while working with this chemical is that it is flammable, so you should keep it away from other flammable materials and heat. Pay attention to storing this chemical in a cool and dry place. You should also keep it away from strong oxidizing agents and acids. Remember to wash your hands after handling this substance because it can irritate if it comes into contact with your skin and eyes.

Conclusion

Ethyl acetate, also known as ethyl ethanoate, is a well-known solvent in the chemistry world. It is used in the food industry to increase the shelf life of the product. Additionally, it plays an important role in manufacturing softened textiles. If you pay attention to the ingredient list on your perfume, you can see the name of this compound because it is a popular ingredient in perfume manufacturing due to its fruity odor.