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Ketone and ester solvents

Ethyl lactate

Also known as Ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, Solactol, Actylol

CAS 97-64-3Formula C5H10O3Molar mass 118.13 g/molEC 202-598-0
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Flammable, Corrosive, Harmful or irritant 85 suppliers listed
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Ethyl lactate chemical structure, C5H10O3, CAS 97-64-3
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless liquid
Melting point
-26 °C
Boiling point
154 °C
Density
1.0328 g.cm³ at 20 °C
Flash point
46 °C
HS code
291811
Category
Ketone and ester solvents
UN number
UN 1192
Illustrative photo, a 1000 litre IBC tote of clear liquid in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Ethyl lactate?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate is the ethyl ester obtained of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. It has a role as a metabolite. It is an ethyl ester, a secondary alcohol and a lactate ester. It is functionally related to a 2-hydroxypropanoic acid.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate
CAS number
97-64-3 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 2676-33-7, 687-47-8
EC number
202-598-0
Molecular formula
C5H10O3
UNII
F3P750VW8I
MDL number
MFCD00065359
INCI name
ETHYL LACTATE
InChIKey
LZCLXQDLBQLTDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C5H10O3/c1-3-8-5(7)4(2)6/h4,6H,3H2,1-2H3
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CCOC(=O)C(C)O

Synonyms

  • Ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate
  • Solactol
  • Actylol
  • Acytol
  • Ethyl 2-hydroxypropionate
  • Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, ethyl ester
  • Lactate d'ethyle
  • 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid ethyl ester
  • Ethyl alpha-hydroxypropionate
  • Ethylester kyseliny mlecne
  • Purasolv els
  • Vertecbio el
  • (+-)-Ethyl 2-hydroxypropionate
  • (+-)-Ethyl lactate
  • Lactic acid, ethyl ester
  • Lactic Acid Ethyl Ester
  • DL-Ethyl Lactate
  • Eusolvan
  • ethyl DL-lactate
  • 2-Hydroxypropionic Acid Ethyl Ester
  • Ethyl ester of lactic acid
  • Ethyl lactate (natural)
  • ethyl-lactate
  • Ethyl L -lactate
  • Milchsaureathylester
Show all 31 synonyms
  • Ethyl racemic-lactate
  • lactic acid ethylester
  • Lactic acid-ethyl ester
  • Mono-Ethyl mono-lactate
  • (.+/-.)-Ethyl lactate
  • Ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate #

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless liquidexp.
Odour
Buttery odorexp.
Taste
Sweet, fruity, creamy and pineapple like tasteexp.
Melting point
-26 °Cexp.
Boiling point
154 °Cexp.
Density
1.0328 g.cm³ at 20 °Cexp.
Flash point
46 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
400 °Cexp.
Solubility
Miscible with waterexp.
Vapour pressure
1.7 mm Hg at 20 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
118.13 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
118.063 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-0.07calc.
Topological polar surface area
46.53 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
3calc.
Rotatable bonds
2calc.
Heavy atoms
8calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.8calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
1calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS02: Flammable
Flammable
GHS05: Corrosive
Corrosive
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
230NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H226Flammable liquid and vapour.
  • H318Causes serious eye damage.
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements (20)
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P233Keep container tightly closed.
  • P240Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
  • P241Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
  • P242Use non-sparking tools.
  • P243Take action to prevent static discharges.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P303 + P361 + P353If on skin (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P403 + P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 1192
Transport hazard class
3
Packing group
III

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Ethyl lactate suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 85 suppliers
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Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

85 suppliers in 16 countries

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Ethyl lactate price

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Solvent for nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, many cellulose ethers, resins, lacquers, paints, enamels, varnishes, stencil sheets, safety glass, flavoring.

To reduce the alkalinity of cosmetic formulations.

Reported uses (ppm):

Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association, 1994) [Table#1227].

Ethyl lactate is the active ingredient in many anti-acne preparations.

Industrial uses: Adhesion/cohesion promoter, Etching agent, Drier, Abrasives, Other.

Consumer uses: Etching agent, Adhesion/cohesion promoter, Fragrance.

Use classes: Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name ETHYL LACTATE(solvent, perfuming)

Roles

  • metabolite

Functional uses

  • Cleaning agent
  • Diluent
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Solvent

Cosmetic functions

  • Perfuming
  • Solvent

How it is made

Derivation: (a) By the esterification of lactic acid with ethanol, (b) by combining acetaldehyde with hydrogen cyanide to form acetaldehyde cyanohydrin, which is converted into ethyl lactate by treating with ethanol and an inorganic acid.

D-Ethyl lactate is obtained from d-lactic acid by azeotropic distillation with ethyl alcohol or benzene in the presence of concentrated H2SO4, the l-form is prepared in similar fashion starting from l-lactic acid, the racemic product is prepared by boiling for 24 hours optically inactive lactic acid with ethyl alcohol in carbon tetrachloride, or with an excess of ethyl alcohol in the presence of chlorosulfonic acid, or in the presence of benzenesulfonic acid in benzene solution.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 607-129-00-7[1]

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Ethyl lactate is traded under.

HS 2918.11Indicative HS code

Lactic acid, its salts and esters

World exports in 2024
$635M
+9.6% vs 2023, imports $719M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China22.0%
  2. Thailand20.0%
  3. Spain11.4%
Top importers
  1. United States11.6%
  2. Spain10.3%
  3. Germany7.9%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Ethyl lactate is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ethyl lactate, based on the data on this page

What is Ethyl lactate?

Ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate is the ethyl ester obtained of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. It has a role as a metabolite. It is an ethyl ester, a secondary alcohol and a lactate ester. It is functionally related to a 2-hydroxypropanoic acid.

What is the CAS number of Ethyl lactate?

The CAS registry number of Ethyl lactate is 97-64-3. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 2676-33-7, 687-47-8.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Ethyl lactate?

The molecular formula of Ethyl lactate is C5H10O3 and its molar mass is 118.13 g/mol.

What is Ethyl lactate used for?

Solvent for nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, many cellulose ethers, resins, lacquers, paints, enamels, varnishes, stencil sheets, safety glass, flavoring. To reduce the alkalinity of cosmetic formulations.

Is Ethyl lactate hazardous?

Ethyl lactate carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: flammable liquid and vapour, causes serious eye damage, may cause respiratory irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Ethyl lactate?

Ethyl lactate is usually classified under HS code 291811 (Lactic acid, its salts and esters). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Ethyl lactate?

CompoundList lists 85 suppliers of Ethyl lactate in China, United States, India, United Kingdom and 12 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Ethyl lactate in India?

14 suppliers in India list Ethyl lactate on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Ethyl lactate?

Suppliers quote Ethyl lactate on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Ethyl lactate

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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