Ethyl Acetate (CAS 141-78-6): Applications, Solvency Mechanism and Solvent Selection Guide
September 30, 2026 · Sourcing Guide
Summary. Ethyl acetate (ethyl ethanoate, CAS 141-78-6, C4H8O2, MW 88.11) is a clear, moderately polar ester solvent with a boiling point of 77.1 °C, a pleasant fruity odour and a fast-to-medium evaporation rate. Its main uses are wood and industrial coatings, gravure and flexographic printing inks for flexible packaging, laminating, shoe and edge-banding adhesives, polyurethane synthetic leather, pharmaceutical processing, crystallisation and extraction, food flavour and fragrance applications and natural product extraction, and as the feedstock for ethyl acetoacetate used in dyes, pigments and agrochemicals. Ethyl acetate is an ICH Q3C Class 3 residual solvent (limit 5000 ppm) and is permitted as a food flavouring substance in many jurisdictions. This guide summarises specifications, manufacturing, application principles, downstream products and alternative solvent comparisons.
Basic information
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Product name | Ethyl acetate (ethyl ethanoate) |
| CAS number | 141-78-6 |
| Molecular formula / MW | C4H8O2 / 88.11 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid with a fruity odour |
| Assay | ≥99.9 % (industrial); ≥99.5 % food and pharmaceutical grades |
| Water content | ≤0.05 % (typical); ≤0.1 % for food grade |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | ≤0.005 % (controlled to limit odour and corrosion) |
| Boiling point | 77.1 °C |
| Density (20 °C) | 0.902 g/cm³ |
| Flash point | −4 °C (highly flammable liquid) |
| Water solubility | ~80 g/L at 20 °C; forms a heterogeneous azeotrope with water (≈70 °C) |
| ICH Q3C | Class 3 residual solvent, concentration limit 5000 ppm |
| Packaging | 180 kg drum, 1000 kg IBC, ISO tank |
| HS code | 2915.31 (confirm with local customs) |
| Storage | Cool, shaded, well ventilated, away from ignition sources and strong acids or bases |
| Main uses | Coatings and inks; adhesives; PU leather; pharmaceutical and food-grade solvent; extraction |
1. Product overview
Ethyl acetate sits between true polar solvents such as acetone and non-polar aromatic solvents such as toluene. Its ester group is a hydrogen-bond acceptor, so it dissolves nitrocellulose, polyurethane, acrylic, epoxy-ester and many natural resins, while its low hydrogen-bond donation keeps it compatible with reactive coating systems and limits interference with curing. It has a pleasant odour, low toxicity, ICH Class 3 status and is one of the few solvents accepted as a food flavouring substance, which supports its use in flavour, fragrance and extraction applications.
2. Manufacturing (brief)
Ethyl acetate is produced by esterification of acetic acid with ethanol, usually over a strong acid catalyst such as sulfuric acid, a solid acid or an ion-exchange resin. Because the reaction is equilibrium-limited, industrial plants use reactive distillation or azeotropic distillation with an entrainer to remove water and drive conversion. A second route is the Tishchenko-type condensation of acetaldehyde. Crude ester is neutralised, washed, dried and fractionated; food and pharmaceutical grades receive additional distillation and tight control of acidity, water, aldehydes and non-volatile residue. Products are classified as urethane grade, food grade or technical grade depending on the application.
3. Application principles
- Balanced solvency. With a solubility parameter of about 18.6 MPa^0.5 and a moderate polarity, ethyl acetate dissolves nitrocellulose, polyurethane, acrylic, alkyd and epoxy-ester resins and printing ink vehicles, without the aggressive attack on substrates seen with ketones or chlorinated solvents.
- Evaporation and film quality. It evaporates faster than butyl acetate but slower than acetone, giving a good balance between drying speed and flow or levelling; this reduces orange peel and brush marks in furniture coatings and prevents ink drag in printing.
- Low toxicity and clean odour. Its ICH Class 3 classification, low odour and absence of aromatic or chlorinated content support use in food packaging inks, cosmetics and pharmaceutical processing where residual solvent and odour are critical.
- Azeotropic behaviour. It forms a heterogeneous azeotrope with water at about 70 °C, which allows water removal and solvent recovery by decantation in esterification and extraction processes.
- Food and flavour status. Ethyl acetate occurs naturally in fruits and fermented products and is approved as a flavouring substance, so it is used in flavour concentrates, essences and extraction of natural raw materials.
4. Application areas in detail
4.1 Coatings for wood and industry
Ethyl acetate is a primary solvent in nitrocellulose and polyurethane wood lacquers, furniture and joinery coatings, parquet and flooring finishes, and industrial aerosol coatings, often blended with butyl acetate and alcohols to tune evaporation. Downstream products include furniture lacquers, sealer and sanding primers, wood stains, and touch-up and refinish aerosols.
4.2 Printing inks and flexible packaging
It is a standard solvent in gravure and flexographic inks for flexible packaging, surface and reverse printing, and lamination inks, where fast, clean drying and low retained odour matter for food packaging film, snack and confectionery wrappers, and pharmaceutical packaging. It is also used in screen printing inks, inkjet formulations and blanket or roller wash.
4.3 Adhesives and polyurethane leather
Typical applications include laminating adhesives for flexible packaging, shoe and footwear adhesives, edge-banding and hot-melt adhesive formulations, contact adhesives and PU synthetic leather (coagulation and coating lines). Its solvency for polyurethane and rubber-based systems and its clean drying make it a preferred carrier in these processes.
4.4 Pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and extraction uses
Ethyl acetate is used as a reaction and crystallisation solvent, extraction solvent for antibiotics, alkaloids, vitamins and plant actives, coating and granulation solvent, and cleaning solvent in pharmaceutical plants. It is also used in nutraceutical and herbal extract production and in analytical chromatography.
4.5 Food, flavour and fragrance
Because it is approved as a flavouring substance and has a fruity note, ethyl acetate is used in flavour concentrates, fruit essences, confectionery and beverage flavourings, and fragrance compositions, and as an extraction solvent for natural colours, spices and botanicals where a low-boiling, low-toxicity solvent is required.
4.6 Chemical intermediate
Ethyl acetate is the feedstock for ethyl acetoacetate (via Claisen condensation), which in turn is used to make pyrazolone and azo dyes and pigments, agrochemical intermediates, pharmaceutical intermediates and chelating agents. It is also used to produce acetylacetone derivatives, esters by transesterification and pharmaceutical intermediates by acetoacetylation.
5. Comparison with alternative solvents
| Solvent | Difference vs ethyl acetate | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| n-Butyl acetate (CAS 123-86-4) | Slower evaporation, better flow and resistance to moisture blushing | Preferred for high-gloss furniture and automotive coatings; ethyl acetate dries faster and is cheaper |
| Toluene (CAS 108-88-3) | Aromatic, stronger for rubbers and hydrocarbon resins, higher toxicity | Ethyl acetate supports aromatic-free, low-odour formulations, especially for food packaging |
| Acetone (CAS 67-64-1) | Faster, lower flash point, stronger for polar resins, sharper odour | Ethyl acetate gives better flow and less substrate attack; acetone is faster and cheaper |
| Methyl ethyl ketone (CAS 78-93-3) | Stronger solvency for vinyl and PVC systems, higher toxicity | Ethyl acetate is preferred where odour, toxicity and food-contact compliance matter |
| Isopropyl acetate (CAS 108-21-4) | Slower evaporation, slightly lower water solubility | Isopropyl acetate improves flow; ethyl acetate dries faster |
| Isopropyl alcohol (CAS 67-63-0) | Water-miscible, lower solvency for nitrocellulose | IPA is used for water displacement and cleaning; ethyl acetate for resin dissolution |
Ethyl acetate advantages: balanced solvency for the main coating and ink resins, fast clean drying, low odour and toxicity, Class 3 residual solvent status, food flavouring approval, and suitability for aromatic-free formulations. Limitations: highly flammable (flash point −4 °C), susceptible to hydrolysis to acetic acid in the presence of water and acid (causing odour and corrosion), and prone to moisture blushing in humid conditions where a slower ester is preferred.
6. Safety, storage and regulatory notes
Ethyl acetate is highly flammable (flash point −4 °C, explosive range roughly 2.0–11.5 % v/v) and must be stored and transferred with bonding, grounding and ventilation; it is transported as a flammable liquid (UN 1173, Class 3). Occupational exposure limits are typically 400 ppm (8-hour TWA). The product should be kept dry and neutral because moisture and acids hydrolyse it to acetic acid and ethanol, which raises acidity and odour; drums should be closed, stored in a cool shaded area and used on a first-in-first-out basis. Residual solvent limits follow ICH Q3C Class 3 (5000 ppm).
FAQ
Q1. What is ethyl acetate used for? It is used in wood and industrial coatings, gravure and flexographic printing inks, laminating and shoe adhesives, polyurethane synthetic leather, pharmaceutical processing and extraction, food flavour and fragrance applications, and as a feedstock for ethyl acetoacetate.
Q2. Is ethyl acetate food safe? Ethyl acetate is approved as a food flavouring substance in many jurisdictions and is used in flavours, essences and natural extract production; food-contact use must still comply with local food law and residue requirements.
Q3. What is the difference between ethyl acetate and butyl acetate? Butyl acetate evaporates more slowly and gives better flow, gloss and resistance to moisture blushing, which suits high-gloss furniture and automotive coatings; ethyl acetate dries faster, is cheaper and has a stronger fruity odour.
Q4. Why is ethyl acetate preferred over toluene in food packaging inks? It is aromatic-free, lower in toxicity, lower in odour and ICH Class 3, which reduces retained solvent and odour problems in food-contact packaging.
Q5. What is the residual solvent limit for ethyl acetate? It is an ICH Q3C Class 3 solvent with a concentration limit of 5000 ppm.
Q6. How should ethyl acetate be stored? In sealed, cool, shaded, well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources, strong acids and bases. Keep the product dry and neutral, because hydrolysis to acetic acid raises acidity and causes odour and corrosion.
Q7. Can ethyl acetate be used in pharmaceutical manufacturing? Yes. It is widely used as a reaction, crystallisation, extraction and coating solvent and is classified as a Class 3 residual solvent, subject to the buyer's own regulatory filings.
Q8. What is the HS code for ethyl acetate? HS 2915.31; confirm the final classification with the importing customs authority.
Keywords: ethyl acetate, CAS 141-78-6, ethyl ethanoate, ester solvent supplier, wood coating solvent, gravure ink solvent, flexible packaging adhesive solvent, food grade ethyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate feedstock, ICH Q3C Class 3 solvent.