Product Overview
Ethyl Acetate ACS Grade is a clear, colorless liquid solvent with a characteristic fruity odor reminiscent of pineapple. Identified by CAS 141-78-6 and the molecular formula C4H8O2, it is also known as Ethyl Ethanoate or Acetic Ether. This volatile ester is a workhorse across analytical laboratories, coatings formulation, pharmaceutical extraction, and manufacturing cleaning operations.
Alliance Chemical offers Ethyl Acetate ACS Grade in sizes ranging from 1-quart bottles for bench-scale work up through 55-gallon drums for production-volume demand. As a Class 3 flammable liquid classified under UN1173 (per 49 CFR 172.101), every shipment from our Taylor, TX facility is prepared and documented to DOT hazmat shipping standards.
Why This Concentration
Choosing ACS Grade tells procurement and your lab team that this ethyl acetate is sourced specifically for workflows where solvent purity directly affects analytical outcomes. In HPLC mobile-phase preparation, trace impurities in the solvent show up as ghost peaks or shifting baselines — the ACS Grade designation signals to the buyer that this product is intended for that level of work. In extraction, coatings formulation, and precision cleaning, the same purity distinction reduces the risk of introducing contaminants that could compromise a batch or skew results.
For operations that do not require an analytically graded solvent — general degreasing, bulk cleaning, or non-critical formulation — a technical-grade ethyl acetate may be more cost-effective. But when your SOP or method calls for ACS Grade, substituting down introduces risk. Review the Technical Data Sheet for exact specifications before qualifying this product into your process.
Chemical Profile
Ethyl Acetate ACS Grade is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature with a molecular weight of 88.11 g/mol and the formula C4H8O2 (CAS 141-78-6). It is less dense than water at 0.902 g/mL measured at 68 °F, so spills will float on the water surface — an important consideration for containment planning. Solubility runs 50 to 100 mg/mL at 70 °F, placing it in the partially miscible range with water. Vapor pressure is relatively high at 73 mmHg at 68 °F, climbing to 100 mmHg at 81 °F, which means it evaporates fast from open containers and coated surfaces alike. That volatility is precisely why coatings formulators value it: films dry quickly and the solvent flashes off without residue. Its vapors are heavier than air and will accumulate in low-lying areas if ventilation is inadequate. The odor is a distinctive, ether-like note often described as pineapple-sweet — noticeable well before concentrations reach a hazard threshold, which gives operators a built-in warning.
Industrial Applications
Ethyl Acetate ACS Grade fills a role across several distinct industries. Below are the primary applications where this solvent earns its place in the process.
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HPLC Mobile Phase (Analytical Chemistry) — In reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, ethyl acetate serves as a mobile-phase component for separating organic compounds. ACS Grade matters here because even low-level impurities shift retention times and generate baseline noise. Analysts running method validation or routine QC rely on a solvent that will not introduce artifacts into their chromatograms.
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Coatings and Adhesives Formulation (Industrial) — Ethyl acetate dissolves a wide range of resins, polymers, and film-forming materials, making it a standard solvent in paints, lacquers, and adhesive systems. Its high vapor pressure drives a fast evaporation profile, which means shorter flash-off times on the coating line and higher throughput. Formulators balance it against slower-evaporating solvents to tune drying curves.
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Extraction Solvent (Pharmaceutical & Chemical Processing) — In active pharmaceutical ingredient isolation and purification, ethyl acetate is used for liquid-liquid extraction because of its favorable partition coefficients with many organic compounds and its partial miscibility with water. After extraction, its volatility allows efficient solvent recovery under mild vacuum.
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Cleaning Agent (Manufacturing) — Production lines, tooling, and sensitive equipment accumulate resin residues, adhesive films, and process soils that resist aqueous cleaners. Ethyl acetate dissolves these deposits without the aggressive attack profile of halogenated solvents, and it evaporates cleanly from surfaces without leaving residue behind.
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Flavoring and Fragrance Carrier (Food & Beverage) — Ethyl acetate's fruity ester character makes it a carrier and processing solvent in flavoring operations. Its role in this space is as a process solvent for extraction and formulation of flavor compounds.
Handling & Storage
Ethyl Acetate carries the signal word Danger (per the product's GHS classification) and the following hazard statements: H225 — Highly flammable liquid and vapor; H319 — Causes serious eye irritation; H336 — May cause drowsiness or dizziness; EUH066 — Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking (per the product's GHS classification).
With a flash point of just 24 °F, this is a highly flammable solvent. Eliminate all ignition sources — open flames, hot surfaces, sparking tools, and static discharge — in any area where ethyl acetate is handled or stored. Ground and bond all containers and transfer equipment during dispensing.
Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Use containers made of compatible materials such as HDPE or glass. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use; the high vapor pressure means significant material loss and vapor buildup from an open vessel. Do not store near strong oxidizing agents or strong acids — contact can initiate exothermic reactions.
Operators should wear chemical-splash goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and use local exhaust ventilation or respiratory protection when airborne concentrations may be elevated. Because vapors are heavier than air, ensure ventilation reaches floor level in enclosed spaces.
Hazmat & Shipping
Ethyl Acetate is a regulated hazardous material for transport. Every shipment from Alliance Chemical is classified, packaged, marked, and documented to DOT requirements under the following designation:
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UN Number: UN1173 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Proper Shipping Name: Ethyl acetate (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class: 3 — Flammable Liquid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group: II (per 49 CFR 172.101)
Packing Group II reflects a moderate hazard level within Class 3, consistent with the low flash point. All shipments include the required hazmat shipping papers, markings, labels, and placarding per the quantity shipped. Our DOT-registered team (USDOT 2188383) at the Taylor, TX warehouse handles the classification and documentation so your receiving dock gets a correctly prepared shipment.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet ships with every order of Ethyl Acetate ACS Grade, available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. The SDS covers hazard identification, first-aid measures, firefighting procedures, exposure controls, and physical/chemical properties in the GHS format your EHS team requires for site compliance binders.
A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis is also available, providing the analytical data for the specific batch you receive. A Technical Data Sheet is on file for detailed product specifications. Request any of these documents before or after purchase — our team can send them ahead of your order if you need them for incoming-material qualification or pre-approval review.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
Ethyl Acetate ACS Grade is available to order from quart bottles through 55-gallon drums — sized to match whether you are running a single HPLC method or feeding a production coatings line. Every package ships with full DOT hazmat documentation, and a lot-specific COA is available for incoming QC.
Alliance Chemical has served over 55,000 customers since 1998, distributing industrial and specialty chemicals from our warehouse at 204 S Edmond St, Taylor, Texas 76574. Shipping and handling guidance for this product has been reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
