[Chemistry Class Notes] Ethyl Acetate Pdf for Exam [2024]

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

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?

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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