What is the Difference Between Diethyl Ether and Ethyl Acetate?

Diethyl ether and ethyl acetate are both organic compounds with different properties and applications. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Chemical Formula: Diethyl ether has the chemical formula C2H5OC2H5, while ethyl acetate has the formula C4H8O2.
2. Odor: Diethyl ether has a rum-like odor, whereas ethyl acetate has an ether-like fruity odor.
3. Flammability: Both solvents are flammable, but ethyl acetate is less flammable than diethyl ether. Ethyl acetate has a flashpoint of -4°C and a boiling point of 77°C, compared to -45°C and 34.5°C for diethyl ether. Ethyl acetate also has narrower flammability limits: 1.4 to 7.6% per unit volume, compared to 1.9 to 48% per unit volume for diethyl ether.
4. Recovery of Parasites: In a study comparing the recovery of Ascaris spp. and Trichuris spp. eggs using diethyl ether and ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate yielded more eggs per gram in 5 of the 6 sets of data. However, for Trichuris spp., recovery from liquid sludge was slightly higher with diethyl ether for all egg concentrations.
5. Applications: Diethyl ether is primarily used as a solvent, general anesthetic, and recreational drug due to its non-toxicity. Ethyl acetate is used as a solvent in various industries, as well as in laboratories for techniques such as the formalin-ether sedimentation technique, where it has been found to be a satisfactory substitute for diethyl ether.

Comparative Table: Diethyl Ether vs Ethyl Acetate

Here is a table comparing the differences between diethyl ether and ethyl acetate:

Diethyl ether is an organic compound with the chemical formula C2H5OC2H5, consisting of an ether with two ethyl groups attached to the same central oxygen atom. It is a colorless liquid that is highly volatile and flammable. Ethyl acetate, on the other hand, is the acetate ester formed between acetic acid and ethanol, with the chemical formula CH3COOC2H5. It is also a colorless liquid, but it is moderately volatile and has an ether-like, fruity odor. Both compounds are used as solvents, but diethyl ether is also used as a general anesthetic and recreational drug due to its non-toxicity.