Properties and Uses

• Solvent: Ethyl acetate is a widely used solvent, especially for paints, varnishes, lacquers, cleaning mixtures, and perfumes. It is also used as a solvent for decaffeinating coffee beans and is a common solvent for column and thin-layer chromatography in laboratory settings.
• Occurrence in Wines: Ethyl acetate is the most common https://falconhealthcare.org/bmk-ethyl-glycidate-a-catalyst-in-organic-transformation ester in wine, contributing to the perception of "fruitiness" in the wine. However, excessive amounts of ethyl acetate are considered a wine fault.
• Biological Absorption and Hydrolysis: Ethyl acetate is readily absorbed following oral, dermal, or inhalation exposures. It is rapidly hydrolyzed to ethanol and acetic acid prior to absorption in the gastrointestinal tract following oral administration and in the upper respiratory tract following inhalation exposure.

Safety and Hazards

• Flammability: Ethyl acetate is classified as a highly flammable liquid and vapor, and it can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
• Health Effects: Short-term exposure to high levels of ethyl acetate can result in irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, followed by headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Chemical Identifiers

• Alternate Names: Ethyl acetate is known by various alternate names, including acetic acid, ethyl ester, acetic ether, and vinegar naphtha.