Ethyl Acetate
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ethyl acetate
[′eth·əl ′as·ə‚tāt]Ethyl Acetate
CH3COOC2H5, a colorless, volatile liquid with a pleasant, fruity odor.
Ethyl acetate has a boiling point of 77.1°C, a melting point of – 82.4°C, and a density of 0.900 g/cm3 at 20°C. Slightly soluble in water, it is readily soluble in such liquids as alcohol, ether, and chloroform. Ethyl acetate is flammable, and its explosive limits in air are 2.2 and 9 percent by volume.
Ethyl acetate is produced industrially by means of the esterification of ethyl alcohol by acetic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid. It is used as a solvent for cellulose nitrates in the manufacture of paints and varnishes (seeCELLULOSE NITRATE LACOUERS) and is also used in the production of photographic film, motionpicture film, and smokeless powders. A mixture of ethyl acetate and alcohol serves as a solvent for cellulose acetate, polyvinyl butyral, and certain other polymers. Ethyl acetate is also used as a component of fruit flavorings for soft drinks, liqueurs, and candies.