Ethyl acetate is a colorless liquid with a fruity odor. It is commonly used as a solvent in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. Ethyl acetate is highly flammable and should be handled with care.
| IUPAC Name | Ethyl acetate |
| Molecular Formula | C4H8O2 |
| CAS Number | 141-78-6 |
| Synonyms | Acetic acid ethyl ester, Ethyl ethanoate, Acetoxyethane, Acetidin, Acetate d’ethyle, Ethyl acetic ester |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C4H8O2/c1-3-6-4(2)5/h3H2,1-2H3 |
Ethyl Acetate Properties
Ethyl acetate density g/ml
The density of ethyl ethanoate is 0.902 g/ml at standard conditions of temperature and pressure. This density indicates that ethyl ethanoate is less dense than water and will float on top of it. This property makes it useful in separating liquid mixtures through the process of liquid-liquid extraction.
Ethyl acetate structure
The structure of ethyl ethanoate consists of a four-carbon chain with an ester functional group. The ester functional group consists of an oxygen atom bonded to a carbon atom, which is in turn bonded to another oxygen atom. The oxygen atom on the ester group is also bonded to one of the carbon atoms in the four-carbon chain. This structure gives ethyl ethanoate its characteristic fruity odor.
Ethyl acetate molar mass
The molar mass of ethyl acetate is 88.11 g/mol. It is determined by adding the atomic weights of all the atoms in one molecule of ethyl acetate. The molecular formula of ethyl acetate is C4H8O2, which indicates that there are 4 carbon atoms, 8 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms in each molecule. The molar mass of ethyl acetate is used in many calculations, such as determining the amount of substance in a given sample or the mass of a substance in a given volume.
Ethyl acetate boiling point
The boiling point of ethyl ethanoate is 77.1 °C (171.8 °F) at standard pressure. Ethyl ethanoate has a relatively low boiling point, which makes it useful in many industrial applications as a solvent for extraction, purification, and cleaning. When heated to its boiling point, ethyl ethanoate vaporizes and can be collected as a pure liquid through condensation.
Ethyl acetate melting point
The melting point of ethyl ethanoate is -83.6 °C (-118.5 °F). This low melting point means that ethyl ethanoate is typically encountered as a liquid rather than a solid at room temperature. However, it can solidify at extremely low temperatures or under pressure. The solid form of ethyl ethanoate is typically a white crystalline powder.
Ethyl acetate molecular weight
The molecular weight of ethyl ethanoate is 88.11 g/mol. This value represents the mass of one mole of ethyl ethanoate molecules. The molecular weight is used in many calculations, such as determining the amount of substance in a given sample or the mass of a substance in a given volume.
Ethyl acetate formula
The chemical formula for ethyl ethanoate is C4H8O2. This formula represents the number and type of atoms that make up one molecule of ethyl ethanoate. The four carbon atoms in the formula are arranged in a chain, with each carbon atom bonded to two other atoms. Two of the carbon atoms are also bonded to oxygen atoms in the ester functional group. The remaining two carbon atoms are each bonded to three hydrogen atoms.
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Specific Gravity | 0.902 g/cm³ |
| Color | Colorless |
| Odor | Fruity, sweet |
| Molar Mass | 88.11 g/mol |
| Density | 0.902 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | -83.6°C |
| Boiling Point | 77.1°C |
| Flash Point | -4°C |
| Water Solubility | 80 g/L at 20°C |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, chloroform |
| Vapour Pressure | 73.3 mmHg at 20°C |
| Vapour Density | 3.04 |
| pKa | 4.76 |
| pH | Neutral |
Ethyl ethanoate is a colorless liquid that is widely used in various industrial and laboratory applications. However, it poses certain safety and health hazards that must be addressed to ensure safe handling and use. Exposure to ethyl ethanoate can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. It can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Ethyl ethanoate is flammable and can cause fires or explosions if exposed to heat or flames. It is important to store and handle ethyl ethanoate in a well-ventilated area away from sources of ignition. In case of accidental exposure, immediate medical attention should be sought to prevent further harm. Proper safety precautions and protective equipment should be used when handling ethyl ethanoate to minimize the risk of injury or damage.
| Hazard Symbols | Xi, F |
| Safety Description | Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Keep away from sources of ignition. Use in a well-ventilated area. |
| UN Ids | UN1173 |
| HS Code | 2915.31.00 |
| Hazard Class | 3 – Flammable liquids |
| Packing Group | PG II |
| Toxicity | LD50 (oral, rat) – 2 g/kg |
Ethyl Acetate Synthesis Methods
Two main methods, esterification, and dehydrogenation, actively synthesize ethyl ethanoate in the industry with high yields.
The esterification method involves the reaction between ethanol and acetic acid in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. Distillation separates ethyl ethanoate and water, resulting from the reaction, to produce high yields of ethyl ethanoate, which industry commonly uses.
The dehydrogenation method involves the reaction of ethanol and acetic acid over a copper(II) oxide catalyst at high temperatures. The catalyst promotes the dehydrogenation of ethanol to produce ethylene, which then reacts with acetic acid to form ethyl ethanoate. This method is less common than esterification and typically requires higher temperatures and longer reaction times.
Another method of ethyl ethanoate synthesis is through the reaction of ethanol and acetic anhydride. This method results in the production of ethyl ethanoate and acetic acid, which can be separated by distillation.
Ethyl Acetate Uses
Ethyl ethanoate is a versatile chemical compound that finds widespread use in various industrial and consumer applications. Some of the most common uses of ethyl ethanoate are:
- Solvent: Manufacturers use it as a powerful solvent in paints, coatings, and adhesives.
- Flavoring agent: Used as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry, particularly in the production of fruit-flavored beverages.
- Fragrance: Common ingredient in perfumes, colognes, and other personal care products due to its pleasant fruity odor.
- Extraction of essential oils: Used in the extraction of essential oils from plants and flowers.
- Pharmaceuticals: Used as a solvent in the production of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the manufacturing of antibiotics.
- Cleaning agent: Used to clean electronics, textiles, and other materials.
- Artificial leather: Artificial leather manufacturers soften and make the material more pliable by using ethyl acetate as a plasticizer.
- Chemical intermediate: Chemical producers create other chemicals, such as cellulose acetate, vinyl acetate, and ethyl acrylate, by utilizing ethyl ethanoate as a chemical intermediate.
Questions:
Q: Is ethyl acetate polar or nonpolar?
A: Ethyl ethanoate is a polar solvent due to the presence of the carbonyl group (C=O) and the oxygen atom in its molecular structure. However, it is not as polar as other solvents such as water or ethanol.
Q: Is ethyl acetate miscible in water?
A: Ethyl ethanoate is not miscible in water, meaning that it does not mix well with water. This is due to the difference in polarity between the two substances, as water is a highly polar solvent, and ethyl ethanoate is a less polar solvent.
Q: Is ethyl acetate soluble in water?
A: Ethyl ethanoate is slightly soluble in water, with a solubility of about 8% at room temperature. However, this solubility is limited due to the difference in polarity between the two substances. Ethyl ethanoate is more soluble in nonpolar solvents such as hexane or toluene.