What is "butyl acetate"

n-Butyl acetate, also known as butyl ethanoate, is an ester which is a colorless flammable liquid at room temperature. Butyl acetate is found in many types of fruit, where along with other chemicals it imparts characteristic flavors and has a sweet smell of banana or apple. It is used as a synthetic fruit flavoring in foods such as candy, ice cream, cheeses, and baked goods. Butyl acetate is often used as a high-boiling solvent of moderate polarity.

The other three isomers of butyl acetate are: isobutyl acetate, tert-butyl acetate, and sec-butyl acetate.

Butyl acetate most often refers to n-butyl acetate. However, there are other isomers that may be considered to be butyl acetates:

• Isobutyl acetate
• sec-Butyl acetate
• tert-Butyl acetate