Abstract Ethyl acetate is a typical representative of ester compounds, and high school textbooks generally emphasize its “insolubility in water”. However, through literature review and experimental investigation, it has been demonstrated that lower esters can dissolve in water. Theoretical analysis shows that the ester group is a hydrophilic group, which explains why lower esters are soluble in water. Larger hydrocarbon groups hinder the interaction between the ester group and water molecules, thereby reducing solubility. This study elucidates the relationship between the structure of organic compounds and their solubility, emphasizing the core concept of “structure determines properties” in the field of chemistry, providing valuable insights for the teaching of organic chemistry in new textbooks.
ZHUO Jun-Qiao. Enhancing the Understanding of Chemistry Based on Experimental Inquiry and Theoretical Analysis:Is Ethyl Acetate Insoluble in Water[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2026, 47(7): 111-114.
