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Ethyl Acetate

    Synonyms:  Acetic acid ethyl ester; acetic ester; acetic ether; acetoxyethane; aethylis acetas; aethylium aceticum; ethyl ethanoate; ethylis acetas; vinegar naphtha.

    Description:Ethyl acetate is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a pleasant fruity, fragrant, and slightly acetous odor, and has a pleasant taste when diluted. Ethyl acetate is flammable.

    Chemical Name: Ethyl acetate

    Flavoring agent; solvent.

    • In pharmaceutical preparations, ethyl acetate is primarily used as a solvent, although it has also been used as a flavoring agent.

    • As a solvent, it is included in topical solutions and gels, and in edible printing inks used for tablets.

    • Ethyl acetate has also been shown to increase the solubility of chlortalidone and to modify the polymorphic crystal forms obtained for piroxicam pivalate, mefenamic acid, and fluconazole, and has been used in the formulation of microspheres.

    • Ethyl acetate has been used as a solvent in the preparation of a liposomal amphotericin B dry powder inhaler formulation.

    • Its use as a chemical enhancer for the transdermal iontophoresis of insulin has been investigated.

    • In food applications, ethyl acetate is mainly used as a flavoring agent. It is also used in artificial fruit essence and as an extraction solvent in food processing.

    Ethyl acetate can react vigorously with strong oxidizers, strong alkalis, strong acids, and nitrates to cause fires or explosions. It also reacts vigorously with chlorosulfonic acid, lithium aluminum hydride, 2-chloromethylfuran, and potassium tert-butoxide.

    Ethyl acetate is used in foods, and oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations. It is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material when used as an excipient. However, ethyl acetate may be irritant to mucous membranes, and high concentrations may cause central nervous system depression. Potential symptoms of overexposure include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, narcosis, and dermatitis. Ethyl acetate has not been shown to be a human carcinogen or a reproductive or developmental toxin

    15 Handling Precautions Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended. I

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