MOLECULE

Ethyl acetate

Acetic acid-ethyl ester or ethyl acetate, also known as 1-acetoxyethane or acetic ester, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as carboxylic acid esters. These are carboxylic acid derivatives in which the carbon atom from the carbonyl group is attached to an alkyl or an aryl moiety through an oxygen atom (forming an ester group). Ethyl acetate is a clear, colorless liquid. It is an ester of acetic acid and ethanol. It is found in essentially all organisms, from bacteria to yeast, to plants to humans. Ethyl acetate has an ethereal, sweet or fruity odor with a sweet, grape or cherry taste. Ethyl acetate is present in confectionery (it is used in artificial fruit essences), perfumes, and fruits. In perfumes, it evaporates quickly, leaving only the scent of the perfume on the skin. Ethyl acetate is found in many fruits such as pineapples, and sweet oranges and in a lower concentration in safflowers. Ethyl acetate has also been found in Cannabis sativa (PMID: 6991645, 26657499). It has also been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as oxheart cabbages, agaves, chervils, peaches (var.), cereal crops, radishes, fruit juices, beer, wine, spirits etc. Ethyl acetate is the most common ester in wine, being the product of acetic acid and ethanol generated during fermentation. The aroma of ethyl acetate is most intense in younger wines and contributes towards the general perception of 'fruitiness' in wine. Industrially, it is used as a solvent in glues, nail polish removers, and in the decaffeination process of tea and coffee. It is widely used as an organic solvent because of its low cost, low toxicity, and agreeable odor. It is also used in paints as an activator or hardener and for colour and inks used to mark fruit or vegetables. In the field of entomology, ethyl acetate is an effective asphyxiant for use in insect collecting and study. Because it is not hygroscopic, ethyl acetate also keeps the insect soft enough to allow proper mounting suitable for a collection. In a killing jar charged with ethyl acetate, the vapors will kill the collected (usually adult) insect quickly without destroying it. Ethyl acetate has very low toxicity, however overexposure to ethyl acetate may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.