Ethyl acetoacetate

A beta-keto ester with a methylene between two carbonyl groups.

Formula
C6H10O3
Molar mass
130.14 g/mol
Also known as
ethyl 3-oxobutanoate, ethyl acetylacetate, ethyl 3-oxobutyrate, diacetic ether, Butanoic acid, 3-oxo-, ethyl ester, Acetoacetic ester

Overview

A beta-keto ester with a methylene between two carbonyl groups.

Removal of a central methylene proton gives an enolate stabilised by both carbonyl groups. This position is more acidic than an ordinary alkane C–H bond. The ketone and ester sites remain chemically distinct despite their participation in the same conjugate base.

Identifiers

Formula
C6H10O3
Molar mass
130.14 g/mol
Also known as
ethyl 3-oxobutanoate, ethyl acetylacetate, ethyl 3-oxobutyrate, diacetic ether, Butanoic acid, 3-oxo-, ethyl ester, Acetoacetic ester
Chemical identifiers
SMILES
CCOC(=O)CC(=O)C
InChI
InChI=1S/C6H10O3/c1-3-9-6(8)4-5(2)7/h3-4H2,1-2H3
PubChem CID
8868

Properties

Melting Point
-45 °C
Boiling Point
180.8 °C AT 760 MM HG
Relative density (water = 1)
Relative density (water = 1): 1.021
Water solubility
water solubility = 1.11X10+5 mg/l @ 17 °C

References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary: Ethyl acetoacetate (CID 8868)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem

    Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.

  2. OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Acidity of alpha hydrogen atoms: enolate ion formationJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

    Supports the qualitative structure and reactivity context; identity and numerical measurements retain their original references.

  3. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Ethyl acetoacetate — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8868#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: The Merck Index. 9th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck & Co., Inc., 1976., p. 495

  4. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Ethyl acetoacetate — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8868#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: The Merck Index. 9th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck & Co., Inc., 1976., p. 495

  5. ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs): Ethyl acetoacetate — densityILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8868#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred.

  6. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Ethyl acetoacetate — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8868#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Yalkowsky SH, Dannenfelser RM; The AQUASOL dATAbASE of Aqueous Solubility. Fifth Ed, Tucson, AZ: Univ Az, College of Pharmacy (1992)