Ethyl acetate is a widely used industrial solvent supplied to manufacturers, distributors, and chemical traders worldwide. Its structural formula provides a more detailed representation of the molecule than its molecular formula and helps identify how its carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms are connected.
The structural formula of ethyl acetate is CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃, while its molecular formula is C₄H₈O₂. Ethyl acetate is also known as ethyl ethanoate or EtOAc and has CAS No. 141-78-6.
For industrial buyers and distributors, understanding the structural formula is useful when confirming product identity, comparing acetate solvents, and checking technical documentation such as COA, SDS, and TDS.
Ethyl Acetate Structural Formula at a Glance
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Ethyl Acetate |
| IUPAC Name | Ethyl Ethanoate |
| CAS No. | 141-78-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₈O₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 88.11 g/mol |
| Structural Formula | CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃ |
| Condensed Structural Formula | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ |
| Common Abbreviation | EA / EtOAc |
| Chemical Class | Ester |
What Is the Structural Formula of Ethyl Acetate?
The structural formula of ethyl acetate is:
CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃
This representation shows the connectivity of the atoms within the ethyl acetate molecule.
Unlike the molecular formula C₄H₈O₂, which only indicates that each molecule contains four carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms, the structural formula shows how these atoms are arranged and connected.
The structure can be viewed as:
CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃
where:
- CH₃– represents the methyl portion.
- C(=O) represents the carbonyl portion.
- –O– connects the carbonyl-containing portion to the ethyl group.
- –CH₂–CH₃ represents the ethyl portion.
This structural representation is particularly useful when distinguishing ethyl acetate from other solvents with similar names or chemical families.
Ethyl Acetate Condensed Structural Formula
The condensed structural formula of ethyl acetate is:
CH₃COOCH₂CH₃
It is another way of writing:
CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃
The condensed representation removes some of the explicit bond notation while retaining the connectivity information needed to identify the molecule.
For chemical purchasing and product identification, the following forms refer to the same substance:
| Representation | Formula |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₈O₂ |
| Condensed Structural Formula | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ |
| Expanded Structural Formula | CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃ |
| Common Abbreviation | EtOAc |
| Chemical Name | Ethyl Acetate |
| Systematic Name | Ethyl Ethanoate |
Ethyl Acetate Expanded Structural Formula
The expanded structural representation is:
CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃
The purpose of this representation is to make the important atom-to-atom connections visible.
For example:
- CH₃–C(=O) → acetate portion
- –O– → oxygen linking the two portions
- CH₂–CH₃ → ethyl portion
This makes the structural identity of ethyl acetate easier to distinguish from methyl acetate, butyl acetate, and other acetate esters.
For a buyer comparing multiple solvent products, this distinction can be useful because the products may have similar naming conventions but different molecular structures and CAS numbers.
Ethyl Acetate Skeletal Structure
The skeletal structure, also called a line-angle structure, represents the carbon framework using lines and vertices rather than writing every carbon and hydrogen atom explicitly.
For ethyl acetate, the skeletal representation retains the important structural features of the molecule while simplifying the carbon framework.
The key point for industrial users is that the skeletal structure still represents the same molecule identified by:
Ethyl Acetate → CAS 141-78-6 → C₄H₈O₂
A visual structural diagram should therefore be included in this section rather than relying only on text formulas.
Recommended image for your website
I recommend creating a clean technical diagram showing all three representations side by side:
Condensed → Expanded → Skeletal
with:
Ethyl Acetate | CAS 141-78-6
This would be much more useful for your page than a generic stock image.
Molecular Formula vs Structural Formula of Ethyl Acetate
These two terms should not be treated as interchangeable.
| Formula Type | Ethyl Acetate | Main Information |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₈O₂ | Number and type of atoms |
| Structural Formula | CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃ | Atom connectivity |
| Condensed Structural Formula | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ | Shortened connectivity |
| Skeletal Formula | Line-angle representation | Carbon framework and functional groups |
The key difference is simple:
C₄H₈O₂ tells you what atoms are present, while CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃ shows how those atoms are connected.
This distinction is important because different compounds can share the same molecular formula while having different structural arrangements.
Ethyl Acetate Structural Formula vs Ethyl Ethanoate
Ethyl acetate and ethyl ethanoate are names for the same compound.
| Identification | Information |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Ethyl Acetate |
| Systematic Name | Ethyl Ethanoate |
| Abbreviation | EA / EtOAc |
| CAS No. | 141-78-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₈O₂ |
| Structural Formula | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ |
Therefore, a purchase inquiry referring to ethyl acetate or ethyl ethanoate generally identifies the same chemical when the CAS number is 141-78-6.
For international procurement, using the CAS number together with the product name is recommended because it reduces ambiguity between similar chemical names.
How to Identify Ethyl Acetate from Its Structural Formula
For industrial procurement, the structural formula should be considered together with other product identifiers rather than used as the only quality criterion.
A typical product identity check includes:
1. Product Name
Ethyl Acetate
2. CAS Number
141-78-6
3. Molecular Formula
C₄H₈O₂
4. Structural Formula
CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃
5. Technical Documentation
Depending on the application and grade, buyers may request:
- COA
- SDS/MSDS
- TDS
- Product specification
- Certificate of analysis
- Applicable regulatory or transport documentation
Official reference data identify ethyl acetate by CAS 141-78-6 and formula C₄H₈O₂, providing a reliable basis for chemical identity verification.
Ethyl Acetate Structural Formula Compared with Other Acetate Solvents
Ethyl acetate belongs to a broader group of acetate solvents. Comparing their structural formulas helps explain why products with similar names are chemically distinct.
| Product | Structural Formula | CAS No. |
|---|---|---|
| Methyl Acetate | CH₃COOCH₃ | 79-20-9 |
| Ethyl Acetate | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ | 141-78-6 |
| Butyl Acetate | CH₃COO(CH₂)₃CH₃ | 123-86-4 |
The difference is primarily in the alkyl group attached through the ester oxygen.
For distributors, this is particularly important when managing product catalogs, quotations, specifications, and customer inquiries.
Why the Structural Formula Matters to Industrial Buyers
For students, a structural formula may primarily be a way to understand molecular connectivity. For industrial buyers, its practical value is different.
Product Identification
The structural formula provides another way to confirm the identity of the requested chemical.
Supplier Communication
International buyers may use different names for the same product. Combining:
Product Name + CAS No. + Molecular Formula + Structural Formula
can reduce misunderstandings during quotation and order confirmation.
Product Comparison
When comparing ethyl acetate with methyl acetate, butyl acetate, or other organic solvents, the structural formula helps establish whether the products are actually the same chemical.
Technical Documentation
A buyer can cross-check the chemical identity stated on the supplier's:
- COA
- SDS
- TDS
- Product specification
against the requested CAS number and formula.
Ethyl Acetate Structural Formula and Industrial Product Information
Structural identity is only one part of an industrial purchasing decision. Buyers typically need additional information before placing a bulk order.
| Buyer Requirement | Information to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Chemical Identity | Ethyl Acetate |
| CAS No. | 141-78-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₈O₂ |
| Structural Formula | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ |
| Purity | According to supplier specification |
| Grade | Industrial / applicable grade |
| COA | Available according to batch |
| SDS | Available |
| TDS | Available |
| Packaging | Based on order requirements |
| MOQ | Based on supply arrangement |
| Delivery | Port and destination dependent |
For a B2B chemical website, this section is more valuable than adding several paragraphs about basic chemical theory because it directly supports the buyer's next step.
Does the Structural Formula Determine Ethyl Acetate's Properties?
The structural formula provides the molecular connectivity that underlies the compound's chemical behavior, but it should not be treated as a substitute for a product specification.
For example, the structure identifies ethyl acetate as an ester and helps explain its molecular characteristics. However, industrial buyers still need actual product data such as:
- purity
- water content
- acidity
- color
- density
- assay
- packaging specification
These parameters should be verified against the supplier's current COA/TDS, rather than inferred solely from the structural formula.
This distinction is especially important for distributors who need to meet downstream customer specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethyl Acetate Structural Formula
What is the structural formula of ethyl acetate?
The structural formula of ethyl acetate is CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃.
What is the condensed structural formula of ethyl acetate?
The condensed structural formula is CH₃COOCH₂CH₃.
What is the molecular formula of ethyl acetate?
The molecular formula is C₄H₈O₂. NIST reports a molecular weight of approximately 88.1051 g/mol.
Is ethyl acetate the same as ethyl ethanoate?
Yes. Ethyl acetate is the common name and ethyl ethanoate is the systematic name for the same compound.
What is the CAS number of ethyl acetate?
The CAS number is 141-78-6.
What does CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ represent?
CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ is the condensed structural formula of ethyl acetate.
What is the difference between C₄H₈O₂ and CH₃COOCH₂CH₃?
C₄H₈O₂ gives the molecular composition, while CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ shows how the atoms are connected.
Why should industrial buyers check the structural formula?
The structural formula provides an additional method of confirming chemical identity and can help distinguish ethyl acetate from other acetate solvents when combined with the CAS number and technical documentation.
Conclusion
The structural formula of ethyl acetate is CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃, while its condensed structural formula is CH₃COOCH₂CH₃. Its molecular formula is C₄H₈O₂, and its CAS number is 141-78-6.
For industrial buyers, distributors, and importers, the structural formula is useful for confirming chemical identity, comparing acetate solvents, and cross-checking supplier documentation. However, product quality and purchasing decisions should also be based on the applicable specification, COA, SDS, TDS, grade, packaging, and supply requirements.
Looking for Ethyl Acetate in bulk? Contact TIANJIN GNEE BIOTECH CO., LTD. for product specifications, COA, SDS, packaging options, and a quotation.