Butyl acetate
n-Butyl acetate is an organic compound with the formula. A colorless, flammable liquid, it is the ester derived from n-butanol and acetic acid. It is found in many types of fruit, where it imparts characteristic flavors and has a sweet smell of banana or apple. It is used as an industrial solvent.
The other three isomers of butyl acetate are isobutyl acetate, tert-butyl acetate, and sec-butyl acetate.
Production and use
Butyl acetate is commonly manufactured by the Fischer esterification of butanol and acetic acid with the presence of sulfuric acid:Butyl acetate is mainly used as a solvent for coatings and inks. It is a component of fingernail polish.