Definition and Uses :
N-butyl acetate, also known as butyl ethanoate, is an ester that is a colorless, flammable liquid at room temperature. Butyl acetate is found in many types of fruits, which, when combined with other chemicals, impart characteristic flavors and have a sweet odor similar to bananas or apples. It is used as a synthetic fruit additive in foods such as candy, ice cream, cheese, and fried foods. Butyl acetate is commonly used as a high-boiling solvent of moderate polarity.
Butyl acetates are commonly produced by the Fischer esterification of butanol (or its isomer to form the butyl acetate isomer) and acetic acid in the presence of catalytic sulfuric acid under reflux conditions by the following reaction:
Apples, especially some of the Red Delicious variety, are flavored with this chemical. The alarm pheromones emitted by the Koschevnikov gland of honey bees contain butyl acetate.