Comparison of Ethyl Acetate and Methyl Acetate

Fuzz esters, a genus of organic compounds, are widely used in chemical industry. The similarities and differences between ethyl acetate and methyl acetate are worthy of detailed investigation.

First of all, they are the same. Both are esters, which are formed by the reaction of carboxylic acid and alcohol through esterification. Ethyl acetate is formed by esterification of acetic acid and ethanol; methyl acetate is obtained by the interaction of acetic acid and methanol. Both have the generality of esters and can be hydrolyzed, alcoholyzed, and ammoniolyzed under specific conditions. In its molecular structure, both contain ester groups (-COO-), which are characteristic functional groups of esters, so that the two have similar chemical properties. In the process of organic synthesis, they are often used as solvents and intermediates, and are also commonly used materials in flavors, coatings, inks and other industries.

Describe their differences again. From the perspective of physical properties, the boiling points of the two are different. The boiling point of ethyl acetate is about 77 ° C, and the boiling point of methyl acetate is about 57 ° C. The difference in boiling points is due to the difference in the force between molecules. The molecule of ethyl acetate is relatively large, and the force between molecules is slightly stronger, so the boiling point is higher. This difference can be divided by distillation when separating and purifying the two. Furthermore, the densities of the two are also different. The density of ethyl acetate is less than that of water, about 0.902 g/cm ³; the density of methyl acetate is also less than that of water, about 0.932 g/cm ³. These differences in physical properties have a great impact in practical applications.

In terms of chemical properties, although they have common esters, the reactivity is slightly different. Due to the different alkyl groups of the two, the ethyl group in ethyl acetate is larger than the methyl group in methyl acetate, and the spatial steric resistance is different. In some reactions, the steric resistance affects the proximity of the reactant to the ester group, and the reactivity is different. For example, in alkaline hydrolysis reactions, the hydrolysis rate of methyl acetate with small steric resistance may be slightly faster than that of ethyl acetate.

Furthermore, the odor of the two is also slightly different. Ethyl acetate has a pleasant fruity aroma and is often used as a fragrance additive in foods, beverages, etc., to increase its aroma; although methyl acetate also has a fruity aroma, it is slightly pungent, and it is used in fragrances, or inferior to ethyl acetate.

To sum up, ethyl acetate and methyl acetate have both esters in common, but also have many differences in physical, chemical properties and applications due to their unique structures. Chemical industry and scientific researchers should know the characteristics of the two in detail, and in practical operation and research, they can make good use of them to achieve the expected effect.