Ethyl Acetate is an organic ester compound with a molecular formula of C4H8O2. It is commonly used as a solvent for cleaning, paint removal and coatings. It is a colorless liquid with a fruity characteristic odor that is commonly recognized in glues and nail polish remover. This product is highly flammable with a flash point of -4° C and a flammability rating of 3. It is highly miscible with all common organic solvents (alcohols, ketones, glycols, esters) but only slightly miscibility in water.
Ethyl acetate has many uses, such as artificial fruit essences and aroma enhancers, artificial flavors for confectionery, ice cream and cakes, as a solvent in many applications (including decaffeinating tea and coffee) for varnishes and paints (nail varnish remover), and for the manufacture of printing inks and perfumes.
Uses & Occurence
Ethyl acetate is widely employed as a solvent for nail varnishes and nail varnish removers. Industrially it is used to decaffeinate coffee beans and tea leaves. In chemistry, it is often mixed with a non-polar solvent such as hexanes as a chromatography solvent. It is also used as a solvent for extractions. It is rarely used as a reaction mixture due to the weakness of the ester linkage it hydrolyzes in the presence of strong acids and bases to give acetic acid and ethanol.
Ethyl acetate is also present in confectionery, perfumes, and fruits. It is used in perfumes because it evaporates at a fast rate, leaving but the scent of the perfume on the skin. It also confers a fruity smell, as do most esters. It is also used in paints as an activator or hardener.
Ethyl acetate is present in wines. It may be considered a contaminant at too high concentrations, as typically occurs when wine is exposed to air for a prolonged period. When present at too high concentration in wine, it is regarded as an off-flavour.
Other Uses
In the field of entomology, ethyl acetate is an effective poison for use in insect collecting and study. In a killing jar charged with ethyl acetate, the vapors will kill the collected (usually adult) insect quickly without destroying it. Because it is not hygroscopic, ethyl acetate also keeps the insect soft enough to allow proper mounting suitable for a collection.