Description

Acetate is the ester that an organic group replaces a hydrogen atom in -OH group of acetic acid through reaction (typically condensation) with alcohols. Condensation is the reaction in which two molecules having -OH groups are joined with eliminating a water molecule from their -OH groups. They are produced by esterification reaction from acetic acid and the corresponding alcohol in the presence of strong acids like sulfuric acid. This reaction is reversible and acetate can be hydrolyzed back into alcohol and acetic acid in the presence of strong bases or strong acid, especially at elevated temperature. The term acetate is also for the salt that one or more of the hydrogen atoms of acetic acid are replaced by one or more cations of the base, resulting in a compound containing the negative organic ion of CH3COO-. Lower acetate is a non-polar to weak polar aprotic solvent which have some solubility portion in water. Its miscibility with water gets higher at elevated temperature. Higher acetates have a low solubility in water and used as extraction solvents for fine chemicals particularly for certain antibiotics. Organic acetates are good solvents for a broad range of resins as they are miscible with almost all common organic liquids. Due to their powerful solvency, high volatility and mild odor, acetates are widely used as solvents for paints, coatings, adhesives, cellulose, plastics, fats, wood stains. Additionally ether acetates series are also widely used as solvents. This surfactant-like structure provides the compatibility between water and a number of organic solvents, and the ability to couple unlike phases. The main products include ethyleneglycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether acetate, and propyleneglycol monomethyl ether acetate. Aromatic acetates such as benzyl acetate are also useful solvent. Benzyl acetate has jasmine like odor. Isoamyl acetate has a similar smell to both banana and pear. Acetates have characteristic fruity odor. They are used as component of perfumes and flavorings. They are used as chemical intermediate to manufacture pharmaceuticals, synthetic flavorings, cleaners, and other organic compounds.