Ethyl acetate is one of the most widely used industrial solvents because its 77°C boiling point enables faster drying than butyl acetate while providing smoother film formation than acetone. Also known as ethyl ethanoate (CAS 141-78-6), it is a clear, colorless solvent widely used in coatings, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, printing inks, and extraction industries due to its balanced evaporation rate and strong solvency.
As a reliable supplier, Tianjin Gnee Biotech Co., Ltd. provides stable ethyl acetate supply for global industrial applications.
Industrial Ethyl Acetate Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product name | Ethyl Acetate |
| CAS No. | 141-78-6 |
| Chemical formula | C₄H₈O₂ (CH₃COOCH₂CH₃) |
| Molecular weight | 88.11 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless transparent liquid |
| Odor | Mild fruity odor |
| Density | ~0.89 g/cm³ |
| Boiling point | ~77 °C |
| Melting point | ~−83 °C |
| Polarity | Moderately polar (aprotic) |
| Water solubility | Slightly soluble |
| Flash point | ~−4 °C |
| Evaporation rate | Fast |
| Vapor pressure | ~10 kPa |
| Refractive index | ~1.372 |
| Purity (typical) | ≥ 99.5% |
| Moisture content | ≤ 0.05% |
| Main applications | Coatings, inks, adhesives, pharmaceutical intermediates |
📩 Looking for a reliable ethyl acetate supplier?
Contact Gneebio to receive the latest ethyl acetate price, COA, and MSDS within 24 hours.
Ethyl Acetate (ETOAC) Properties
Formula
Ethyl acetate is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₄H₈O₂, comprising four carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. The structure of ethyl acetate is that of an ester, formed through the reaction between ethanol (ethylalcohol) and acetic acid in a process known as esterification. Its molecular structure consists of an ethyl group (C₂H₅) attached to an acetate group (COO), which gives it its characteristic properties.
Boiling Point
The boiling point of Ethyl Acetate is 77.1°C (170.78°F). This property makes it a volatile solvent that evaporates quickly, which is why it is used in applications requiring rapid evaporation, such as in paints, coatings, and adhesives.
Density
The density of Ethyl Acetate is approximately 0.902 g/cm³ at 20°C. This relatively low density contributes to its ability to evaporate quickly and be used effectively in various applications like solvents and coatings.
Flash Point
The flash point of Ethyl Acetate is −4°C (24.8°F). This low flash point is why Ethyl Acetate is highly flammable and should be handled with care, especially in environments where ignition sources are present.
Solubility
Ethyl Acetate is soluble in water, as well as in many organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. Its solubility properties make it an effective solvent for extracting and dissolving a wide range of substances.
Ethyl Acetate (ETOAC) Polarity
Ethyl Acetate (ETOAC) is a moderately polar compound containing a non-polar ethyl group, a polar carbonyl (C=O) group and a polar oxygen atom. The polarity of the carbonyl and oxygen groups gives ethyl acetate a degree of polarity that makes it a useful solvent for a variety of polar and non-polar compounds.
Ethyl Acetate (ETOAC) Applications
Solvent Applications
ETOAC is used in coatings, adhesives, inks, and synthetic leather, offering strong dissolving power and a moderate evaporation rate; its boiling point of 77°C is far lower than butyl acetate (~126°C), enabling faster drying in industrial production lines.
Food & Flavor Industry
Acts as a food flavoring agent and extractant for natural flavors like vanillin in beverages, candies, pastries, and ice cream, where trace levels are often kept below 10 ppm in regulated food-grade applications to ensure safety and compliance.
Pharmaceutical Sector
Serves as a solvent and extractant in drug production, including antibiotics, vitamins, and hormones, and is also used in topical formulations; pharmaceutical-grade ethyl acetate typically requires purity above 99.5% to meet GMP standards.
Chemical Synthesis
Functions as an organic intermediate for ethyl acetoacetate, butyl acetate, and production of acetic acid or ethanol, with industrial esterification processes achieving conversion efficiencies above 95% under optimized catalytic conditions.
Laboratory Applications
Standard organic solvent for TLC, column chromatography, sample extraction, and recrystallization, valued for its clean evaporation behavior, with a dielectric constant (~6.0) much lower than ethanol (~24.5), making it suitable for medium-polarity separations.
Ethyl Acetate Performance Comparison with Common Industrial Solvents
Ethyl Acetate vs Acetone
Ethyl acetate dries more slowly than acetone, providing better film leveling in coatings because its boiling point is 77°C compared with acetone's 56°C, reducing surface defects such as pinholing in spray applications.
Ethyl Acetate vs MEK
Ethyl acetate has a milder odor and slightly slower evaporation than MEK, with a boiling point of 77°C versus MEK's 80°C, but it is often preferred in regulated markets due to lower perceived toxicity and better environmental acceptance.
Ethyl Acetate vs IPA
Ethyl acetate is significantly more effective for dissolving resins than IPA, since its solubility parameter is closer to many coating resins, while IPA has a much higher polarity with a dielectric constant of ~18.3 compared to ethyl acetate's ~6.0, making IPA more suitable for cleaning rather than resin dissolution.
Contact our technical team to choose the right solvent for your application.
Ethyl Acetate (ETOAC) Hazards
Ethyl Acetate (ETOAC, CAS 141-78-6) is a highly flammable and volatile organic solvent. Proper handling and storage are essential for industrial, laboratory, and transportation safety.
Key Safety Points:
- Flammability: Keep away from open flames, sparks, and high temperatures. Do not smoke near storage or usage areas.
- Health: Vapors may irritate eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. Prolonged skin contact can cause dryness or irritation. Ingestion may cause nausea or more severe effects.
- Reactivity: Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, acids, and bases.
- Environmental: Prevent spills from entering drains or waterways.
Safety Measures:
- Use in well-ventilated areas, wear protective gloves, goggles, and clothing, and store in sealed, corrosion-resistant containers below 30°C, away from ignition sources and incompatible chemicals.
- For detailed guidance, always refer to MSDS/COA provided by your supplier.
Export & Compliance Support
As an experienced ethyl acetate exporter, Tianjin Gnee Biotech Co., Ltd. supports global shipments with complete documentation:
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
- COA (Certificate of Analysis)
- TDS (Technical Data Sheet)
- REACH compliance support (if required)
We regularly export ethyl acetate to Asia, the Middle East, South America, and other international markets.
Get Ethyl Acetate Price & Technical Documents
Looking for ethyl acetate (CAS 141-78-6) price per ton or bulk supply details?
📩Contact Gneebio today to receive:
- Latest ethyl acetate price
- MSDS & COA
- Packaging and MOQ details
- Technical consultation
- We will respond within 24 hours.
