Monographic: ethyl acetate

The ethyl acetate is one of the esters with more presence in contemporary organic chemistry. Its formula is CH3-COO-CH2-CH3 and it's also called acetic ether, acetic ethyl ester or acetic acid ethyl ester.

It appears as a colorless liquid denser than air. Less dense than water and slightly miscible therein, it is also miscible with hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols and other esters.

The main physical parameters of ethyl acetate are the following ones:

• Boiling point: 77 °C
• Melting point: -84 °C
• Specific gravity (water = 1): 0.9
• Specific Gravity (air = 1): 3
• Molecular weight: 88.1 g/mol
• Ignition temperature: 427 °C
• Viscosity: 0.45 cP at 20 °C
• Refractive index of 1.3724 at 20 °C
• Explosive limits (vol% in air.): 2.5 - 11.5

It's also called acetic ether, acetic ethyl ester or acetic acid ethyl ester.

Although the ethyl acetate is mainly used as a solvent, as a synthetic flavoring and in the manufacture of perfumes and dyes, it has many uses in various industrial sectors such as, for example, the following ones:
 

• Food: used in confectionery, beverages and artificial fruit essences.
• Printing: used in the production of printing inks, paint thinners and solvents. In addition, it is used as a reagent for the manufacture of pigments and as a universal solvent.
• Rubber: used in removing resinous substances.
• Ceramics: used as a solvent for compounds used to coat and decorate ceramic objects.
• Cosmetics and Pharma: used in the production of perfumes, soaps and other cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
• Textile: used in the manufacture of leather, in the treatment of artificial silk and leather, in the preparation of yarn for dyeing and in fabric cleaners.
• Additional it is used in the paper industry, adhesives and glues derived from cellulose and in the photographic industry, to manufacture films based on nitrocellulose.

Ethyl acetate is a highly flammable chemical that, in accordance with Regulation (CE) Nº 1272/2008, is listed as a hazardous substance. Therefore, handling and storage of ethyl acetate the following conditions must be observed:

• While we manipule the product, we must use protective work clothing: coat, safety glasses and gloves to avoid prolonged skin contact.
  
  
• When we store the product, we must place it in a well-ventilated place, away from sources of ignition and direct sunlight. The ethyl acetate decomposes under the influence of UV light, bases and acids and intense heating thereof could cause a violent combustion or explosion.

Click here to see the safety data sheet.

Click here to see how BRUGUÉS distributes the ethyl acetate, to request more information about the product or to make and order.