Organic Chemical Solvent Ethyl Acetate

Ethyl Acetate (systematically, ethyl ethanoate, commonly abbreviated EtOAc or EA) is the organic compound with the formula CH3COOCH2CH3. 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.

Ethyl acetate has a pleasant ethereal fruity, brandy-like odor, reminiscent of pineapple, somewhat nauseating in high concentration. It has fruity sweet taste when freshly diluted in water. Ethyl acetate is probably one of the most used of all flavor chemicals by volume. Ethyl acetate is slowly decomposed by moisture and then acquires an acid status due to the acetic acid formed.

Clear, colorless, mobile liquid with a pleasant, sweet fruity odor. Experimentally determined detection and recognition odor threshold concentrations were 23 mg/m3 (6.4 ppmv) and 48 mg/m3 (13.3 ppmv), respectively (Hellman and Small, 1974). Cometto-Mu?iz and Cain (1991) reported an average nasal pungency threshold concentration of 67,300 ppmv.

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 is also used). Coffee beans and tea leaves are decaffeinated with this solvent (when supercritical CO2 extraction is not possible). 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 the scent of the perfume on the skin.