Butyl acetates (also acetic acid butyl esters) are organic chemical compounds and comprise a group of four saturated carboxylic acid esters exhibiting structural isomerism. They are the esters formed from acetic acid and the four isomeric butanols. They share the molecular formula C6H12O2 and have a molar mass of 116.16 g/mol. sec-Butyl acetate is also chiral and exists as two enantiomeric forms. Consequently, a total of five isomers are possible. Butyl acetates occur naturally, for example in fruits, and are widely used industrially as solvents and flavorings.
Representatives and properties Butyl acetates Name Acetic acid n-butyl ester Acetic acid isobutyl ester Acetic acid sec-butyl ester Acetic acid tert-butyl ester Other names n-butyl acetate isobutyl acetate sec-butyl acetate (RS)-acetic acid sec-butyl ester tert-butyl acetate Structural formula (chiral) CAS numberQ411073 Q420657 Q421143 Q285657 PubChem State liquid Melting point -77 °C -98.9 °C -99 °C Boiling point 127 °C 118 °C 112 °C 97 °C
Occurrence
n-Butyl acetate and isobutyl acetate occur as flavor constituents in numerous fruits. In cultivated apple, pears, bananas, plum, melon, and papaya, for example, both compounds are present.
Use n-Butyl acetate and sec-butyl acetate are among the most important solvents used in coating processes, while isobutyl acetate is employed to a lesser extent in this field. n-Butyl acetate is one of the most important solvents for nail polish; isobutyl acetate is occasionally used for this purpose as well. Three butyl acetates are used as flavoring agents and are generally authorized for use in food within the European Union: n-butyl acetate is approved under FL number 09.004, isobutyl acetate under number 09.005, and sec-butyl acetate under number 09.323.
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