Substance profile
Ethyl acetate
Ethyl acetate is a clear, volatile with a characteristic ether-like odor reminiscent of pineapple.
01 · Identification
What Ethyl acetate is
Ethyl acetate is a clear, volatile with a characteristic ether-like odor reminiscent of pineapple. It boils at 77.1 °C, melts at -83.8 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for Ethyl acetate
- EtOAc
- acetic ester
- Acetic Acid, Ethyl Ester
- Acetic Ether
- Acetidin
- Acetoxyethane
- Ethyl Acetic Ester
- Ethyl Ester Of Acetic Acid
- Ethyl Ethanoate
- Vinegar Naphtha
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH066
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P264, P280, P305, P313, P337, P338, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethyl acetate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 77.1 °C (170.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 77.22 °C (171 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 77.22 °C (171 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -83.8 °C (-118.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -82.78 °C (-117 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -83.61 °C (-118.5 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.9 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.9003 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.902 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether; very soluble in acetone, benzene | HSDB | |
| In water, 8.0X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in water (64 g/L at 25 °C) | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 73 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 73 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 93.2 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -4.44 °C (24 °F) | NIOSH | |
| -4 °C (24.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 426.67 °C (800 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 427 °C (800.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.2 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 0.025 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| 2 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 11.5 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 0.09 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 3.04 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Ethyl acetate has a fruity odor and an odor threshold of 3.9 ppm. | HSDB | |
| Detection in air: 3.6-1.120 mg cu/m | HSDB | ||
| 0.0196 mg/cu m (low odor); 665.0 mg/cu m (high odor); 350 mg/cu m (irritating concn) | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 250.55 °C (483 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethyl acetate
Storage conditions
Keep tightly closed in cool place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
... can react vigorously with oxidizing materials ... Potentially explosive reaction with lithium tetrahydroaluminate. Ignites on contact with potassium teri-butoxide. Violent reaction with chlorosulfonic acid, (LiAIH2 + 2-chloromethyl furan), oleum.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYL ACETATE is also sensitive to heat. On prolonged storage, materials containing similar functional groups have formed explosive peroxides. This chemical may ignite or explode with lithium aluminum hydride. It may also ignite with potassium tert-butoxide. It is incompatible with nitrates, strong alkalis and strong acids. It will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. It is incompatible with oxidizers such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, perchloric acid and chromium trioxide. Violent reactions occur with chlorosulfonic acid. (NTP, 1992). SOCl2 reacts with esters, such as ethyl acetate, forming toxic SO2 gas and water soluble/toxic acyl chlorides, catalyzed by Fe or Zn (Spagnuolo, C.J. et al. 1992. Chemical and Engineering News 70(22):2.).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethyl acetate in the storage compatibility matrix →
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