On whether ethyl acetate is a protonic solvent

If you want to distinguish whether ethyl acetate is a protonic solvent

If you want to distinguish whether ethyl acetate is a protonic solvent, the essential meaning of a protonic solvent is clear. A protonic solvent is a solvent that contains hydrogen atoms in the molecule that can give protons and can form hydrogen bonds with the solute.

The structure of ethyl acetate, its chemical formula is $CH_3COOCH_2CH_3 $. Although the molecule contains hydrogen atoms, the carbon and oxygen atoms connected to it may be affected by the electronic effects of carbonyl and ester groups, and the activity of hydrogen atoms is insufficient, making it difficult to give protons. And although the oxygen atom of ethyl acetate has lone pairs of electrons, the molecular space structure and electron cloud distribution make it weak to form hydrogen bonds with the solute.

Compared with common protonic solvents, such as alcohols, the hydrogen atom of the alcohol hydroxyl group has higher activity, which can easily give protons and form hydrogen bonds with the solute, which has a significant effect. Compared with ethyl acetate, it is difficult to compete with it in giving protons and forming hydrogen bonds.

In summary, from the structure, electronic effects and spatial structure of ethyl acetate, it can be known that ethyl acetate is also an aprotic solvent.