Ethyl acetate

Ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate of acetic acid is a colorless, transparent, flammable liquid with a pleasant odor. Miscible in any ratio with benzene, toluene, chloroform, diethyl ether, ethanol and a number of other organic solvents. Soluble in water to a limited extent.

Ethyl acetate is a moderately polar solvent. It dissolves well cellulose ethers, resin oil varnishes, fats, waxes, easily hydrolyzes to ethanol and acetic acid in an alkaline medium.

Ethyl acetate has relatively low toxicity.

Application area:

— as a solvent in the production of paints and varnishes and ink for printing machines. For these purposes, up to 30% of all ethyl acetate produced is consumed;
— as a solvent in the manufacture of adhesive compositions;
— at the stage of packaging various goods with flexible packaging materials - as an ink solvent when applying inscriptions and images in a stencil method;
— as a reagent and as a reaction medium in the production of pharmaceuticals (methoxazole, rifampicin, etc.);
— as a degreasing agent in the production of aluminum foil and thin aluminum sheets;
— as a cleaning and degreasing agent in the electronics industry;
— as a solvent for cellulose ethers;
— mixed with alcohol as a solvent in the manufacture of artificial leather;
— as an extracting agent for various organic substances from aqueous solutions. Due to its low toxicity, ethyl acetate is used in the food industry, for example, for extracting caffeine from coffee;
— as a gelling agent in the manufacture of explosives;
— as a component of fruit essences.