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 is ethyl acetate and what is its chemical formula?
Ethyl acetate is an organic compound classified as an ester. It is formed from the reaction between ethanol and acetic acid. Its chemical formula is CH₃COOCH₂CH₃, which is simplified to C₄H₈O₂. According to IUPAC nomenclature, it is also known as ethyl ethanoate.
2. How is ethyl acetate commonly prepared in the laboratory?
Ethyl acetate is primarily prepared through a process called Fischer esterification. In this reaction, acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) are heated in the presence of an acid catalyst, typically concentrated sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄). The reaction is reversible and is represented as:
CH₃COOH + CH₃CH₂OH ⇌ CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ + H₂O
3. What are the main physical and chemical properties of ethyl acetate?
Ethyl acetate exhibits several distinct properties that are important for its applications:
- Physical Properties: It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic sweet, fruity odour. It has a boiling point of 77.1°C and is only slightly soluble in water.
- Chemical Properties: As an ester, its most important reaction is hydrolysis. When reacted with water (especially in the presence of an acid or base), it breaks down into acetic acid and ethanol. The reaction with a base like NaOH is called saponification.
4. What are the most common uses of ethyl acetate in everyday products and industrial processes?
Due to its properties as an effective solvent and its pleasant smell, ethyl acetate has a wide range of uses:
- It is a primary solvent in paints, lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives.
- It is a key ingredient in nail polish removers.
- It is used in the process of decaffeinating coffee beans and tea leaves.
- Its fruity aroma makes it a useful component in perfumes and as a flavouring agent in some foods.
- In chemistry labs, it is a common solvent for extractions and chromatography.
5. Is ethyl acetate harmful to humans, and what safety precautions are necessary when handling it?
While useful, ethyl acetate is not without risks. Inhalation of high concentrations of its vapours can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, leading to dizziness and drowsiness. Prolonged or repeated skin contact can cause dryness and cracking. Therefore, it is important to handle it in a well-ventilated area and wear appropriate personal protective equipment like gloves and safety glasses, as per standard laboratory safety protocols.
6. Why does ethyl acetate have a characteristic sweet, fruity smell similar to nail polish remover?
The characteristic smell of ethyl acetate is a common trait of many low-molecular-weight esters. This aroma is due to its molecular structure and volatility, which allows the molecules to easily evaporate and reach the olfactory receptors in our nose. It is strongly associated with nail polish remover because it is one of the most common solvents used in those products. The same compound is also responsible for the natural fruity scent in fruits like pineapples and oranges.
7. How does the structure of ethyl acetate influence its solubility in water?
Ethyl acetate is only sparingly soluble in water. Its structure contains polar carbon-oxygen bonds, allowing it to accept hydrogen bonds from water molecules. However, it lacks a hydrogen atom bonded to an oxygen (like in alcohols or carboxylic acids), so it cannot donate hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the nonpolar hydrocarbon parts of the molecule (the ethyl and acetyl groups) are significant in size, making the overall molecule less polar and limiting its miscibility with a highly polar solvent like water.
8. Why is a strong acid like sulphuric acid typically used as a catalyst in the formation of ethyl acetate?
A strong acid catalyst like concentrated H₂SO₄ plays two critical roles in Fischer esterification. First, it protonates the carbonyl oxygen of the acetic acid, making the carbonyl carbon more electron-deficient and thus more susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the ethanol molecule, which speeds up the reaction. Second, it acts as a dehydrating agent, removing the water formed as a product. According to Le Chatelier's principle, removing a product shifts the reaction equilibrium to the right, favouring the formation of more ethyl acetate and increasing the overall yield.
