Ethyl acetate

Ethyl acetate

Names
IUPAC name Ethyl acetate
Systematic IUPAC name Ethyl ethanoate
Other names Acetic ester, Acetic ether, Ethyl ester of acetic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	141-78-6 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:27750 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL14152 Y
ChemSpider	8525 Y
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
KEGG	D02319 Y
PubChem	8857
RTECS number	AH5425000
UNII	76845O8NMZ Y
InChI InChI=1S/C4H8O2/c1-3-6-4(2)5/h3H2,1-2H3 Y Key: XEKOWRVHYACXOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C4H8O2/c1-3-6-4(2)5/h3H2,1-2H3 Key: XEKOWRVHYACXOJ-UHFFFAOYAD
SMILES O=C(OCC)C
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H8O2
Molar mass	88.11 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Odor	ether-like, fruity
Density	0.902 g/cm3
Melting point	−83.6 °C (−118.5 °F; 189.6 K)
Boiling point	77.1 °C (170.8 °F; 350.2 K)
Solubility in water	8.3 g/100 mL (20 °C)
Solubility in ethanol, acetone, diethyl ether, benzene	Miscible
Vapor pressure	73 mmHg (20 °C)
Acidity (pKa)	25
Refractive index (nD)	1.3720
Viscosity	426 μPa s (0.426 cP) at 25 °C
Structure
Dipole moment	1.78 D
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Related compounds
Related carboxylate esters	Methyl acetate, Propyl acetate, Butyl acetate
Related compounds	Acetic acid, ethanol
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	Refractive index (n), Dielectric constant (εr), etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour solid–liquid–gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Y verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Ethyl acetate (systematically, ethyl ethanoate, commonly abbreviated EtOAc or EA) is the organic compound with the formula CH₃-COO-CH₂-CH₃, simplified to C₄H₈O₂. This colorless liquid has a characteristic sweet smell (similar to pear drops) and is used in glues, nail polish removers, decaffeinating tea and coffee, and cigarettes (see list of additives in cigarettes). Ethyl acetate is the ester of ethanol and acetic acid; it is manufactured on a large scale for use as a solvent. The combined annual production in 1985 of Japan, North America, and Europe was about 400,000 tons. In 2004, an estimated 1.3M tons were produced worldwide.

Production

Ethyl acetate is synthesized in industry mainly via the classic Fischer esterification reaction of ethanol and acetic acid. This mixture converts to the ester in about 65% yield at room temperature:

CH₃CH₂OH + CH₃COOH → CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ + H₂O

The reaction can be accelerated by acid catalysis and the equilibrium can be shifted to the right by removal of water. It is also prepared in industry using the Tishchenko reaction, by combining two equivalents of acetaldehyde in the presence of an alkoxide catalyst:

2 CH₃CHO → CH₃COOCH₂CH₃

Silicotungstic acid is used to manufacture ethyl acetate by the alkylation of acetic acid by ethylene:

C₂H₄ + CH₃CO₂H → CH₃CO₂C₂H₅

By dehydrogenation of ethanol

A specialized industrial route entails the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethanol. This method is less cost effective than the esterification but is applied with surplus ethanol in a chemical plant. Typically, dehydrogenation is conducted with copper at an elevated temperature but below 250 °C. The copper may have its surface area increased by depositing it on zinc, promoting the growth of snowflake, fractal like structures (dendrites). Surface area can be again increased by deposition onto a zeolite, typically ZSM-5. Traces of rare earth and alkali metals are beneficial to the process. Byproducts of the dehydrogenation include diethyl ether, which is thought to arise primarily due to aluminum sites in the catalyst, acetaldehyde and its aldol products, higher esters, and ketones. Separations of the byproducts are complicated by the fact that ethanol forms an azeotrope with water, as does ethyl acetate with ethanol and water, and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK, which forms from 2-butanol) with both ethanol and ethyl acetate. These azeotropes are "broken" by pressure swing distillation or membrane distillation.

Uses

Ethyl acetate is used primarily as a solvent and diluent, being favored because of its low cost, low toxicity, and agreeable odor. For example, it is commonly used to clean circuit boards and in some nail varnish removers (acetone and acetonitrile are also used). Coffee beans and tea leaves are decaffeinated with this solvent. It is also used in paints as an activator or hardener. Ethyl acetate is present in confectionery, perfumes, and fruits. In perfumes, it evaporates quickly, leaving only the scent of the perfume on the skin.

Laboratory uses

In the laboratory, mixtures containing ethyl acetate are commonly used in column chromatography and extractions. Ethyl acetate is rarely selected as a reaction solvent because it is prone to hydrolysis and transesterification.

Ethyl acetate is fairly volatile at room temperature and has a boiling point of 77 °C. Due to these properties, it can be removed from a sample by heating in a hot water bath and providing ventilation with compressed air.

Occurrence in wines

Ethyl acetate is the most common ester in wine, being the product of the most common volatile organic acid — acetic acid, and the ethyl alcohol generated during the fermentation. The aroma of ethyl acetate is most vivid in younger wines and contributes towards the general perception of "fruitiness" in the wine. Sensitivity varies, with most people having a perception threshold around 120 mg/L. Excessive amounts of ethyl acetate are considered a wine fault. Exposure to oxygen can exacerbate the fault due to the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde, which leaves the wine with a sharp vinegar-like taste.

Entomological killing agent

In the field of entomology, ethyl acetate is an effective asphyxiant for use in insect collecting and study. In a killing jar charged with ethyl acetate, the vapors will kill the collected 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.

Reactions

Ethyl acetate can be hydrolyzed in acidic or basic conditions to regain acetic acid and ethanol. The use of an acid catalyst accelerates the hydrolysis, which is subject to the Fischer equilibrium mentioned above. In the laboratory, and usually for illustrative purposes only, ethyl esters are typically hydrolyzed in a two step process starting with a stoichiometric amount of strong base, such as sodium hydroxide. This reaction gives ethanol and sodium acetate, which is unreactive toward ethanol:

CH₃CO₂C₂H₅ + NaOH → C₂H₅OH + CH₃CO₂Na

The rate constant is 0.111 dm³/mol.sec at 25 °C.

Safety

The LD₅₀ for rats is 5620 mg/kg, indicating low toxicity. Given that the chemical is naturally present in many organisms, there is little risk of toxicity.

Overexposure to ethyl acetate may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, & throat. Severe overexposure may cause weakness, drowsiness, & unconsciousness. Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) Publication No. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. from HSDB [1] Humans exposed to a concn of 400 ppm in 1.4 mg/l ethyl acetate for a short time were effected by nose and throat irritation. /From table/ Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994., p. 2981 from HSDB [1] ... Ethyl acetate is an irritant of the conjuctiva and mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Animal experiments have shown that, at very high concentrations, the ester has /CNS depressant/ and lethal effects; at concentrations of 20000 to 43000 ppm, there may be pulmonary edema with hemorrhages, symptoms of central nervous system depression, secondary anemia and damage of the liver. In man, concentrations of 400 ppm cause irritation of the nose and pharynx; cases have also been known of irritation of the conjunctiva with temporary opacity of the cornea. In rare cases exposure may cause sensitization of the mucous membrane and eruptions of the skin. The irritant effect of ethyl acetate is less strong than that of propyl acetate or butyl acetate. International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983., p. 782

External links

http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ethyl_acetate#section=Toxicity

• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• International Chemical Safety Cards
• Material safety data (MSDS) for ethyl acetate
• National Pollutant Inventory - Ethyl acetate fact sheet
• Ethyl Acetate: Molecule of the Month
• Purpose of Using Concentrated Sulfuric Acid in Esterification for Catalysis
• Basic facts and contact SEKAB [1] SEKAB ethyl acetate
• A Techno Commercial Profile of Ethyl Acetate in India
• Calculation of vapor pressure, liquid density, dynamic liquid viscosity, surface tension of ethyl acetate