The main differences between ethyl acetate and ethanol are:
1. Chemical structure:
– Ethyl acetate (CH3COO-CH2-CH3) is an ester, consisting of an acetyl group (-CH3COO-) bonded to an ethyl group (-CH2-CH3).
– Ethanol (CH3-CH2-OH) is an alcohol, consisting of a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to an ethyl group (-CH2-CH3).
2. Functional groups:
– Ethyl acetate has a carbonyl (C=O) group and an ester linkage.
– Ethanol has a hydroxyl (-OH) group.
3. Polarity and solubility:
– Ethyl acetate is a less polar molecule compared to ethanol due to the ester group.
– Ethyl acetate is more soluble in non-polar solvents like hydrocarbons, Acetic acid supplier while ethanol is more soluble in polar solvents like water.
4. Uses:
– Ethyl acetate is commonly used as a solvent, in adhesives, and as a flavoring agent.
– Ethanol is used as a fuel, disinfectant, and in the production of pharmaceuticals and alcoholic beverages.
5. Reactivity:
– Ethyl acetate is less reactive than ethanol due to the ester group.
– Ethanol is more reactive due to the presence of the hydroxyl group.
In summary, the key differences are the chemical structure, polarity, solubility, and uses of these two organic compounds.