What is Ethyl Acetate?
Ethyl acetate is an organic compound that is an ester of ethanol and acetic acid. It is widely used as a solvent in chemical reactions or preparations. This is the reason it is manufactured on a large scale.
The molecular formula of ethyl acetate is C4H8O2. It can be written as CH3-COO-CH2-CH3.
Structure of Ethyl acetate –
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The molecular formula of Ethyl Acetate can be easily memorized because as the name suggests it contains ethyl group (CH2-CH3 or C2H5) and acetate group (CH3COO).
Properties of Ethyl Acetate
Physical Properties of Ethyl Acetate – It shows the following physical properties –
Its molar mass is 88.1 g.mol-1.
It is a colorless liquid.
It has an ether-like, fruity odor.
Its melting point is -83.6℃.
Its boiling point is 77.1℃.
It is soluble in water, ethanol, acetone etc.
Chemical Properties of Ethyl Acetate
Few chemical properties of ethyl acetate are listed below –
Hydrolysis – On reaction with water ethyl acetate gives ethanol and acetic acid. The reaction is given below –
Reaction with Sodium Hydroxide – When ethyl acetate reacts with sodium hydroxide, it gives sodium acetate and ethanol. The reaction is given below –
CH3CO2C2H5 + NaOH 🡪 C2H5OH + CH3CO2Na
Condensation Reaction – Ethyl acetate shows Claisen condensation reaction and produces ethyl acetoacetate. The reaction is given below –
Production of Ethyl Acetate
Ethyl acetate is a basic organic compound with the formula CH3−COO−CH2−CH3, simplified to C4H8O2. This colorless liquid has a general characteristic of a sweet smell and is used in making glues, nail polish removers, and is involved in the decaffeination process of tea and coffee as well.
The ethyl acetate is typically produced and framed synthetically and carries some amount of risks at high doses. And yet, the solvents that are used in the decaffeination process are much safer than they seem to be, and they are generally found on beans only in little traceable amounts. Ethyl Acetate is also very well used to thin and dissolve other hard substances including nitrocellulose, which is the basic material that is present in nail polish. Therefore, it is considered an important and effective ingredient present in the nail care industry.
Ethyl acetate is synthesized on a large scale because it is widely used as a solvent for many compounds. In industries, it is synthesized by the Fischer esterification reaction. In this reaction, ethanol and acetic acid are used as reactants. The reaction takes place at room temperature which gives 65% yield. The reaction is given below –
CH3COOH + CH3CH2OH 🡪 CH3COOCH2CH3 + H2O
It is also prepared by the Tishchenko reaction in the industry at large scale. In this reaction, two equivalents of acetaldehyde react in presence of an alkoxide catalyst. The reaction is given below-
2CH3CHO alkoxide→ CH3COOCH2CH3
Uses of Ethyl Acetate
Ethyl acetate is a very useful organic compound. Large-scale production of ethyl acetate, itself shows its importance in the industry. A few of its uses are listed below –
It is primarily used as solvent and diluent.
It is used in the decaffeination of coffee beans and tea leaves.
It is used in paints as an activator and hardener.
Due to its fruity smell, it is used in perfumes, jelly etc.
It is an important laboratory reagent.
It is used in column chromatography and extractions as solvent.
It is used in wines.
Where can we find Ethyl Acetate Around Us?
One can find traces of chemistry in daily life. The food we eat gives us some form of chemical reactions with the acid that is naturally produced in our stomach that helps in our digestion. The air we breathe has chemical components involved to change and breathe only oxygen for life.
The cleaning chemicals used in homes or any places have some percentage of chemicals in them. Our emotions are connected with chemistry as well, oxytocin produced when we are with our loved ones is a form of a chemical reaction and literally every object we can see or touch. Some common chemistry concepts may be very obvious to most of us, but others might surprise us in many unexpected forms. Our body is also made up of many unique chemical compounds, which are combinations of various elements.
Health Hazard Due to Ethyl Acetate
Chemistry is a particular branch of science that is concerned with any smaller or unique substances of which a particular matter is composed and deals in-depth with the investigation and study of their properties and every reaction, and the use of such reactions to form new substances.
Ethyl acetate is a very useful compound but has a little risk of toxicity. Its hazardous effects are listed below –
Overuse of ethyl acetate causes irritation in eyes, nose and throat.
It may also cause weakness, drowsiness and unconsciousness.
Regular use of ethyl acetate causes harmful effects on the respiratory tract.
At very high concentrations it may cause depression of the central nervous system and death.
It may also cause liver damage, eruptions of the skin and cornea damage.
Ethyl Acetate can very well irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat as well. Exposure to high levels of this solvent can cause you to feel really dizzy, lightheaded, and even lead to death. Repeated contact can cause drying and cracking of the outer layer of the skin and Long-term exposure can affect the liver and kidneys highly.
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FAQs on Ethyl Acetate
1. What are the effective uses of ethyl acetate solution?
Ethyl acetate is a widely used solvent and special agent, especially for paints, varnishes, lacquers, cleaning mixtures, and perfumes. It also has a very unique smell that is liked by most of them. Dichloromethane is used as a solvent for decaffeinating coffee beans likewise in the chemistry lab, ethyl acetate is often considered as a common solvent for column and thin-layer chromatography.
2. Is ethyl acetate safe to use in common?
Ethyl acetate is highly flammable in nature, as well as toxic when ingested or breathed in, and this chemical component can be seriously damaging the internal organs if there is repeated or prolonged exposure to the smell. But just a bearable amount won't hurt you in any way. Ethyl acetate can also cause severe irritation when it involves contact with the eyes or skin on a regular basis.
3. Where is ethyl acetate found naturally?
Ethyl acetate occurs naturally and is available in some types of fruits, where it is responsible for the pleasant odor and taste of the fruit. It is also found in the production process of yeasts and sugar cane. The compound is simply made synthetically by mixing acetic acid (CH3COOH) with ethanol (ethyl alcohol; CH3CH2OH) in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst.
4. Why does ethyl acetate smell like nail polish remover?
Nail polish remover aroma is most likely caused by the ester ethyl acetate present in them. As with all ester formation, higher fermentation temperature, as a result, produces more and more ester production. Solvent-like aromas can also come from higher alcohol levels present. Higher alcohol production is also increased with higher fermentation temperature.
5. What foods will have ethyl acetate in nature?
Ethyl acetate is found in many fruits naturally such as in pineapples, and sweet oranges, and found in a very lower concentration in safflowers. It has also been detected, but not quantified in any particular amount or percentage present, in several different foods, such as oxheart cabbages, agaves, chervils, peaches, cereal crops, radishes, fruit juices, beer, wine, spirits, etc.
