Difference between methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate

In the chemical industry, various organic compounds are widely used as raw materials, among which methyl and ethyl acrylates, as an important compound, have attracted much attention because of their unique properties and wide applications. Due to the significant differences in molecular structure, physical properties and chemical properties, they play different roles in practical applications. This paper will analyze the difference between methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate in detail from many angles, in order to provide valuable reference for the professionals of chemical industry.

1. molecular structure and composition of different

In terms of molecular structure, there are significant differences in the constituent elements and structural forms of methyl and ethyl acrylates.

1. Structure of methyl acrylate Methyl acrylate is an ester compound formed by the reaction of acrylic acid and methanol, and its molecular structure is CH2 = CHCO-OCH3. The acrylic acid moiety contains a double bond and a carboxylic acid group, and the methyl ester moiety is attached to the oxygen atom of the carboxylic acid by a methoxy group. The molecular weight of methyl acrylate is 88.08, the relative molecular mass is high, and it has a strong carbon skeleton structure.

2. Structure of ethyl ester Ethyl ester is generated by the reaction of alcohol and acid, and common ethyl esters include ethyl acetate, methyl acetate and the like. Taking ethyl acetate as an example, its molecular structure is CH3CH2CO-OCH2CH3. The molecular weight of the ethyl ester is 74.14, the relative molecular mass is low, and its molecular structure is more symmetrical, with two methyl groups and two ethyl groups connected to both sides of the oxygen atom.

In terms of molecular weight and structural complexity, methyl and ethyl acrylate have significant differences in molecular weight, and methyl acrylate has a higher molecular weight and a more complex structure. This structural difference directly affects their physical and chemical properties.

2. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Physical properties are an important basis for judging the pros and cons of substances, and there are significant differences in physical properties between methyl and ethyl acrylate.

1. Solubility Methyl acrylate has low solubility in water and is a medium-soluble substance, but its solubility in organic solvents is better, especially in organic solvents such as benzene and chloroform. The solubility of ethyl ester is more extensive, common ethyl ester such as ethyl acetate in water solubility is low, but the solubility in organic solvents is high.

2. melting point and boiling point Methyl acrylate has a melting point of 48.5 ° C. and a boiling point as high as 197 ° C., and thus has high stability, but is easily decomposed under heating conditions. The melting point and boiling point of ethyl ester are relatively low. Taking ethyl acetate as an example, the melting point is 27.8 ° C., the boiling point is 77.1 ° C., and it is volatile.

3. Density Methyl acrylate has a density of 1.046g/cm³, slightly greater than water, while ethyl acetate has a density of 0.902g/cm³, less than water.

3. chemical differences

The difference in chemical properties is an important basis for judging whether a substance is suitable for a specific reaction.

1. acidic and alkaline Methyl acrylate exhibits strong acidity in chemical reactions, especially the carboxylic acid methyl ester group enhances its acidity. The ethyl ester is weakly acidic, and its acidity is mainly derived from carboxylic acid or methanol. Methyl acrylate has good stability under acidic conditions, but it is easy to decompose under strong alkaline conditions.

2. reactivity Methyl acrylate has high reactivity, especially in esterification and hydrolysis reactions. The reaction activity of ethyl ester is relatively low, and it is easy to hydrolyze under acidic conditions.

3. Environmental impact Because of its high stability, methyl acrylate has advantages in environmental protection and is not easy to decompose or migrate. In some cases, the ethyl ester may have a certain impact on the environment, especially in terms of persistence and mobility.

4. application field comparison

In practical applications, methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate have their own merits and serve different fields.

1. Industrial Applications Methyl acrylate is widely used in plastic production, coatings, cosmetics and other fields because of its excellent heat resistance and stability. Ethyl ester occupies an important position in petroleum Refining, solvent manufacturing and other fields.

2. Biomedical The application of methyl acrylate in biomedicine is mainly reflected in the field of polymer materials, such as the manufacture of biocompatible materials and medical equipment. The ethyl ester also has some applications in pharmaceutical synthesis, although it has many limitations.

3. Environmental protection field The application of methyl acrylate in environmental protection materials is gradually increasing, and it has attracted much attention because of its good degradability and stability. Ethyl esters are mainly used for degradation and detergent manufacturing in the field of environmental protection, but in some cases they may cause secondary pollution to the environment.

5. selection recommendations

When choosing methyl and ethyl acrylates, several factors need to be considered:

• Application requirements: according to the actual need to choose the right material, methyl acrylate in the polymer material field more advantages, and ethyl ester in the oil and solvent field more widely.
• Environmental impact: methyl acrylate stability is high, suitable for long-term use of the scene; and ethyl ester in some cases may be on the environment, need to be cautious use.
• Economy: Ethyl ester is more economical, and in some cases the price is more people-friendly, suitable for budget-limited scenarios, while methyl acrylate polymer material cost is higher, suitable for large-scale production or high-end applications.

Summary

As organic compounds, methyl and ethyl acrylates play an important role in different fields, although there are significant differences in molecular structure and properties. Through in-depth analysis of their molecular structure, physical properties and chemical properties, it can help the chemical industry professionals choose suitable materials, while paying attention to environmental protection and economy in practical applications. In the future, with the development of science and technology, methyl and ethyl acrylate will be widely used in more fields and make greater contributions to industrial production and environmental protection.