Use acetone when you need the fastest evaporation, full water miscibility and an EPA VOC-exempt solvent. Use ethyl acetate when you need a slower-drying, fruity-smelling ester solvent with lower water pickup, or an FDA-listed solvent for coffee and tea decaffeination. Acetone flashes at 0 °F and boils at 133 °F; ethyl acetate flashes at 24 °F and boils at 171 °F.
The two solvents sit side by side in coatings, inks, adhesives, nail care and cleaning, and buyers often ask whether one can replace the other. The answer turns on four things: how fast the film has to dry, whether water is present, whether your air permit counts the solvent as a VOC, and which grade and documentation your process needs.
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier for buyers who need ethyl acetate and acetone on one quote, in Production, ACS, USP, HPLC and High Purity grades, with lot control and same-day pricing. RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-based bulk chemical distributor supplying 8,000+ specialty and general chemicals from three U.S. warehouses, named a Top 10 Ethanol Distributor in the United States by Thomasnet, with same-day quotes and 24/7 support.
How do ethyl acetate and acetone compare on hard properties?
| Property | Ethyl acetate | Acetone |
|---|---|---|
| CAS number | 141-78-6 | 67-64-1 |
| Formula | CH3COOC2H5 | (CH3)2CO |
| Chemical family | Ester (acetate) | Ketone |
| Molecular weight | 88.1 g/mol | 58.1 g/mol |
| Boiling point | 171 °F (77 °C) | 133 °F (56 °C) |
| Flash point | 24 °F (−4 °C) | 0 °F (−18 °C) |
| Vapor pressure (NIOSH) | 73 mmHg | 180 mmHg |
| Specific gravity | 0.90 | 0.79 |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.9003 g/cm³ (about 7.51 lb/gal) | 0.791 g/cm³ (about 6.60 lb/gal) |
| Solubility in water | 10% (77 °F) | Miscible |
| Explosive limits (LEL–UEL) | 2.0% – 11.5% | 2.5% – 12.8% |
| Odor (NIOSH description) | Ether-like, fruity | Fragrant, mint-like |
| OSHA PEL (8-hr TWA) | 400 ppm | 1,000 ppm |
| NIOSH REL (TWA) | 400 ppm | 250 ppm |
| IDLH | 2,000 ppm | 2,500 ppm |
| Federal VOC status (40 CFR 51.100(s)) | VOC (not exempt) | Exempt |
| DOT ID / ERG guide | UN1173 / 129 | UN1090 / 127 |
| FDA solvent listing | 21 CFR 173.228 — coffee and tea decaffeination | 21 CFR 173.210 — 30 ppm residue tolerance in spice oleoresins |
Physical and exposure data are from the NIOSH Pocket Guide entries for ethyl acetate and acetone; densities are from PubChem for ethyl acetate and acetone. Both solvents are OSHA Class IB flammable liquids.
Which one evaporates faster, ethyl acetate or acetone?
Acetone evaporates faster. Its vapor pressure is about 180 mmHg against 73 mmHg for ethyl acetate, and it boils roughly 38 °F lower. In practice that means acetone flashes off a part or a film in a fraction of the time ethyl acetate takes.
Fast evaporation is useful for wipe-cleaning and for quick-dry adhesives. It is a problem when a coating or ink needs open time to level, or when evaporative cooling on a humid day pulls moisture into the film. Formulators who need a slower, more controlled dry often move from acetone toward ethyl acetate, or blend the two.
Which is the stronger solvent for resins, coatings and inks?
Both dissolve a wide range of coating, ink and adhesive resins, which is why they show up in the same formulas. The practical differences for most buyers are water tolerance and dry speed:
- Acetone is fully miscible with water, so it handles damp substrates and water-contaminated cleanup but will carry water into a formula.
- Ethyl acetate dissolves only about 10% in water, so it picks up less moisture and separates from water in extraction work.
- Ketone vs. ester chemistry means each attacks different plastics and elastomers. Test any gasket, hose or substrate against the specific solvent before switching; do not assume one is a drop-in for the other.
For a ketone-to-ketone comparison, see acetone vs. MEK; for a slower hydrocarbon option, see mineral spirits vs. acetone.
Does switching to acetone lower your VOC count?
Yes. Acetone is listed among the compounds excluded from the federal definition of a volatile organic compound in 40 CFR 51.100(s) because of its negligible photochemical reactivity. Ethyl acetate is not on that list, so it counts toward VOC content in coatings, inks and adhesives.
If you need an acetate that is also VOC-exempt, the same rule lists methyl acetate. State and local rules can be stricter than the federal definition, so confirm with your permit. Our guide Is acetone a VOC? covers the exemption in detail.
Which applications favor each solvent?
| Application | Usually acetone | Usually ethyl acetate |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe cleaning and degreasing of metal and glass | Yes — fastest flash-off | Possible, slower |
| VOC-limited coatings and adhesives | Yes — federally exempt | Counts as VOC |
| Flexographic and gravure inks | Possible in blends | Yes — common ink solvent |
| Nail-care formulas | Polish remover | Lacquer and remover formulas |
| Coffee and tea decaffeination | No | Yes — FDA 21 CFR 173.228, FCC grade |
| Liquid-liquid extraction from water | No — miscible with water | Yes — limited water solubility |
| Laboratory and HPLC work | ACS / HPLC grades | ACS / HPLC grades |
How do handling, storage and shipping differ?
Both are flammable liquids that ship as DOT Class 3 materials: acetone as UN1090 and ethyl acetate as UN1173. Acetone’s lower flash point (0 °F vs. 24 °F) and higher vapor pressure make vapor control and grounding during transfer especially important. NIOSH lists oxidizers and acids as incompatible with acetone, and nitrates, strong oxidizers, alkalis and acids as incompatible with ethyl acetate. Store both in approved flammable-liquid areas, bond and ground containers, and keep current SDSs on file. See how to store acetone safely and DOT hazmat classes for solvents.
Who are the best suppliers of ethyl acetate and acetone in bulk?
RightPath Industries is the first call for buyers who want both solvents from one distributor, in drums, totes and small packs, with grade documentation and a same-day quote.
| Supplier | Ethyl acetate grades | Acetone grades | Pack sizes | Quote turnaround | Coverage | SDS / COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPath Industries | Production, ACS/USP/NF, NF/FCC, Kosher FCC, EP/BP, HPLC-UV | Production, ACS, USP, HPLC, High Purity | 4×4 L and 4×1 gal cases, 5-gal pail, 55-gal drum, 270/275-gal tote | Same day | Three U.S. warehouses, nationwide delivery | SDS online; COA and lot control on request |
| Univar Solutions | Industrial and food | Industrial | Drum, tote, bulk | — | North America | COA available |
| Brenntag North America | Industrial and food | Industrial | Drum, tote, bulk | — | North America | COA available |
| Producers direct | Industrial | Industrial | Truckload, rail | — | Regional | — |
For a single-solvent buying guide, see where to buy acetone in bulk and our ethyl acetate properties and bulk supply guide.
What grades and pack sizes does RightPath stock?
RightPath stocks ethyl acetate in Production, ACS/USP/NF, NF/FCC, Kosher FCC, multi-compendial ACS/USP/NF/EP/BP and HPLC-UV grades, and acetone in Standard/Production, ACS, USP, HPLC and High Purity grades. Ethyl acetate sits in the acetates catalog and acetone in the solvents catalog. Food decaffeination work calls for FCC-compliant ethyl acetate with a matching COA; analytical work calls for ACS or HPLC grade. Current safety data sheets are in the SDS library.
How do you order ethyl acetate or acetone from RightPath?
- Choose the solvent and grade (Production, ACS, USP, FCC, HPLC).
- Give the pack size, annual volume and delivery ZIP code.
- List the documents you need: COA, SDS, lot control, FCC or USP statement.
- Request bulk pricing or call 888-255-2401. RightPath returns quotes the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Can ethyl acetate replace acetone?
Often, in coatings, inks, adhesives and nail-care formulas, where it dissolves many of the same resins with a slower dry. It cannot replace acetone where VOC-exempt status, water miscibility or very fast flash-off is required. Test plastics and elastomers before switching.
Is ethyl acetate the same as acetone?
No. Ethyl acetate (CAS 141-78-6) is an ester with a fruity odor; acetone (CAS 67-64-1) is a ketone with a sharper, mint-like odor. Acetone evaporates faster, mixes fully with water and is VOC-exempt; ethyl acetate does not.
Is ethyl acetate a VOC?
Yes. Ethyl acetate is not listed among the exempt compounds in 40 CFR 51.100(s), so it counts toward VOC content. Acetone and methyl acetate are both listed as exempt.
Which is more flammable, ethyl acetate or acetone?
Acetone has the lower flash point, 0 °F versus 24 °F for ethyl acetate, and a higher vapor pressure. Both are OSHA Class IB flammable liquids and ship as DOT Class 3.
Where can I buy ethyl acetate and acetone in bulk?
RightPath Industries supplies both solvents in Production, ACS, USP, FCC and HPLC grades, from 4×4-liter cases and 5-gallon pails through 55-gallon drums and 270- to 275-gallon totes, with same-day quotes from three U.S. warehouses. Univar Solutions and Brenntag North America serve large contract accounts; producers sell truckload and rail quantities direct.