Ethyl Acetate

What is Ethyl Acetate?

Molecular Formula (Ethyl Acetate): C₄H₈O₂

Molecular Weight: 88.11 g/mol

Chemical Name: Ethyl Acetate

CAS Number: 141-78-6

It is the acetate ester formed by the reaction of acetic acid with ethanol. It is a polar aprotic solvent chemical.

It characteristically has a sweet odor. Generally, it has a fruity scent. It is less dense than water, but its vapor is heavier than air. It is a chemical with solvent properties. For this reason, it is produced on a high scale worldwide.

Other Names are as Follows;

• ETOH
• Etoh
• 141-78-6
• Ethyl
• EtOAc
• Ethyl Ethanoate
• Acetic Ester
• Acetic Ether
• Ethyl Ester
• Acetidin
• Vinegar Naphtha
• Ethyl Acetic Ester
• Ethyl Ester of Acetic Acid
• Ethanol Acetate

How is it Produced?

There are 3 process classes in the production process.

The first of these processes is the Fischer esterification reaction. Acid catalysts are needed in ETOH production here. The acids used as catalysts here are acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.

The reaction of production occurs with a yield of approximately 65%.

The reaction for the process here is as follows;

CH₃CH₂OH + CH₃COOH 《》CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O

The equilibrium of the reaction can shift to the right as a result of the removal of water in the Ethyl Acetate production reaction.

The second method used in its production is the Tishchenko reaction of acetaldehyde using an aluminum triethoxide catalyst. The ethyl acetate production reaction here is as follows.

2CH₃CHO 》CH₃COOC₂H₅

Two different routes are used in the production method: the dehydrogenative method and the oxidative method. In the dehydrogenative method, a palladium or copper-based catalyst is used. In the oxidative method, a palladium oxide-supported catalyst is used.

The 3rd method used is the production by adding acetic acid to ethylene using clay and heteropoly acid as catalysts. The reaction of this method is as follows.

CH₂=CH₂ + CH₃COOH 》CH₃COOC₂H₅

In the Ethyl Acetate production process, all 3 methods have disadvantages. Corrosion formation occurs in methods using Acetic Acid. This is an undesirable occurrence. The use of acetaldehyde in production is difficult because it is located in petrochemical industrial zones.

Due to these disadvantages, a less problematic production project will be in great demand.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

It has a fruity odor. It appears as a clear, colorless liquid. It has a density less than water. At the same time, it has an ether-like fruity odor.

The flash point is 24 °C.

The boiling point is in the range of 76.5-77.5 °C.

It has high solubility in water; it is 64 g/L at 25 °C.

Its density is 0.902 g/mL.

In addition, it is miscible with ethanol, diethyl ether, benzene, and acetone. It is also miscible with chloroform.

What are the Usage Areas of Ethyl Acetate?

• When chemicals used as solvents are modified, it is expected to achieve a very good mixture with the chemical it is mixed with. Ethyl Acetate is a highly preferred type of chemical because it mixes very well in this area. These chemicals with which it provides very good mixing are alcohols, ketones, glycols, and esters. As the percentage or weight ratio of ethyl acetate in the solvent increases, the polarity of the solvent increases. Thus, the effect of a mixture containing more polar solvents on the plates of polar compounds is different.
• Ethyl acetate can be used as a solvent in the manufacture of rubber resin adhesives. As an acrylic solvent, its concentration must be close to 100%, i.e., pure.
• It is used as a solvent in the manufacture of some flavoring substances. Its use as a solvent here is due to its low toxicity properties. The flavorings where it is used as a solvent are banana, pear, peach, pineapple, and grape-scented aromas.
• It is used in the production of some chemicals in the chemical industry. These are chemicals such as acetamide, acetyl acetate, methyl heptanone, and similar.
• It is used in the assay of some valuable ores. These are bismuth, boron, and gold ores.
• It is used as a solvent in the production of industrial cleaning chemicals containing solvents.
• In addition, the assay of molybdenum, platinum, and thallium is also performed with ETOH.
• Ethyl acetate is used as a cleaning chemical in the textile industry.
• It is an ester derivative naturally found in fruits. When seeds are mixed into ETOH, it binds to caffeine. In this way, caffeine is removed from the medium while the mixture is being extracted. It is used in the manufacture of decaffeinated tea and coffee.
• It is used in the manufacture of chemicals that help insects die quickly in a collection environment. The application area here generally applies to adult insects.
• There are basic film-forming materials in nail polish. It is used to dissolve other substances, including nitrocellulose, within these.
• It is used in the formulas of other manicure products.
• It is used as artificial fruit flavors and essences.
• It is also used in the fields of photographic films, contact lenses, and textile cleaning.
• In the electronics sector, it is processed to reduce the viscosity of resins used in photoresist formulations.
• It is a chemical used as an extraction solvent in pharmaceutical production.
• It is preferred as a solvent due to its low cost, low toxicity, and pleasant odor.
• It is used in artificial pearl production.
• Due to its low cost, low toxicity, and pleasant odor, it is used in perfume manufacture.
• It is used in the analysis of pesticide residues.
• It is used as a laboratory reagent in Column and Thin Layer Chromatography.

What are the Factors Affecting Its Prices?

In terms of price, EtOH is directly dependent on the prices of chemical raw materials used in its production. As the price of acetic acid increases, the price of ethyl acetate will increase. As ethyl alcohol prices increase, the prices will increase.

The prices of this chemical are directly dependent on acetaldehyde prices. Because acetaldehyde is used in the production of this chemical.

Prices are directly dependent on the price of sulfuric acid. As sulfuric acid increases in price, the price of ethyl acetate will increase.

EtOH prices change depending on the stocks of the companies that sell this chemical. As their stocks increase, the price of ethyl acetate will decrease.

Prices depend on the production of this chemical. When a company that produces ethyl acetate is established, prices will experience a decrease.

Ethyl acetate wholesale prices depend on its usage areas. In the event that a new usage area emerges and there is a high amount of usage, the price of ethyl acetate will increase.