Ethyl propionate

Ethyl propionate is an organic compound with formula C₂H₅O₂CCH₂CH₃. It is the ethyl ester of propionic acid. It is a colorless volatile liquid with a pineapple-like odor. Some fruits such as kiwis and strawberries contain ethyl propionate in small amounts.

Uses and reactions

It is used in the production of some antimalarial drugs including pyrimethamine.
Ethyl propionate can be synthesized by the Fischer esterification of ethanol and propionic acid:
It participates in condensation reactions by virtue of the weakly acidic methylene group.