On the reasons why ethyl acetate is insoluble in water
Ethyl acetate is insoluble in water, and there are three reasons.
First, it is related to the molecular structure. The molecules of ethyl acetate are CH < COOCH
CH
, which are non-polar or weakly polar. And the water molecule H2O O, which has strong polarity. Given the principle of "similar miscibility", polar phases are easily soluble. Non-polar ethyl acetate and strongly polar water have very different structures, so it is difficult to blend.
Second, it involves intermolecular forces. There is a hydrogen bond between water molecules, which is strong and maintains the close connection between water molecules. There is only a weak van der Waals force between ethyl acetate molecules. When ethyl acetate meets water, it is difficult for ethyl acetate molecules to break the hydrogen bond between water molecules and integrate into it. Water molecules are also bound by hydrogen bonds and have limited acceptance of ethyl acetate, so the two are insoluble.
Third, from the perspective of chemical equilibrium. If ethyl acetate is soluble in water, it may be hydrolyzed to form acetic acid and ethanol. However, this hydrolysis reaction is reversible, and the equilibrium is biased towards ethyl acetate under normal conditions. In addition, the degree of hydrolysis is weak, so that the amount of ethyl acetate dissolved in water is very small, and the macroscopic appearance is insoluble in water.
In summary, due to the molecular structure, intermolecular forces and chemical equilibrium factors, ethyl acetate is insoluble in water.