Ethyl crotonate

Chemical properties

colourless liquid

Chemical properties

Ethyl crotonate has a powerful, sour, caramellic-fruity odor.

Occurrence

Reported found in Fragaria vesca. Also reported found in guava fruit, guava peel, pineapple, white wine, yellow passion fruit, fresh mango, naranjilla fruit, mussel, loganberry, apple, papaya, concord grape, strawberry, rum, cocoa, plum, kiwifruit and other natural sources.

The Uses of Ethyl crotonate

Ethyl Crotonate is a synthetic flavoring agent that is a moderately stable, colorless to light yellow liquid of sharp winey note. it should be stored in glass, tin, or resin-lined containers. it is used in fruit flavors for application in baked goods, beverages, and candy at 2–7 ppm.

The Uses of Ethyl crotonate

Solvent and softening agent, lacquers, organic synthesis.
The commercial Ethyl crotonate, used in flavor compositions, is a liquid. It has a powerful and diffusive, sourcaramellic-fruity odor, reminiscent of unripe berries. This ester is used in imitation Strawberry, occasionally also in Pineapple or other imitation fruit flavors. The concentration used is generally very low, classified as "traces" only.

The Uses of Ethyl crotonate

Ethyl crotonate is used as a solvent for cellulose esters as well as a plasticizer for acrylic resins.

Preparation

By esterification of crotonic acid with ethyl alcohol in the presence of concentrated H2SO4.

Definition

ChEBI: Ethyl crotonate is a fatty acid ester.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 10 ppm: rum, cognac and pungent with caramellic and fruity nuances.

General Description

Ethyl trans-2-butenoate is a volatile flavor compound found in fruits such as cashew apple, African star apple, naranjilla fruit and sweet passion fruit.

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk. Strong irritant.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion and probably by inhalation. A skin , mucous membrane, and severe eye irritant. Very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use foam, CO2, or dry chemical. See also ESTERS. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes.

Purification Methods

Wash it with aqueous 5% Na2CO3, then with saturated aqueous CaCl2, dry it with CaCl2 and distil it. [Beilstein 2 IV 1500.]