Chemical Properties
clear yellowish liquid
Chemical Properties
Ethyl levulinate has an ethereal, fruity, green, sweet, pineapple, apple, rhubarb odor.
Occurrence
Reported found in white bread, roasted onion, wheat bread, cognac, malt whiskey, grape wines, cocoa, bilberry
wine, Bourbon vanilla and cherimoya (Annona cheremolia Mill.).
Definition
ChEBI: Ethyl levulinate is an oxo carboxylic acid.
Preparation
Usually obtained by direct esterification of levulinic acid with ethanol and H2SO4 in benzene or in toluene; also in the
presence of HCI in ethanol; other methods starting from glucose, fructose and others are of less importance.
Taste threshold values
Taste characteristics at 40 ppm: fruity, green, waxy and melon.
General Description
Ethyl levulinate is diluent for biodiesel fuels with high saturated fatty acid content.
Flammability and Explosibility
Notclassified
Purification Methods
Stir the ester with Na2CO3 and charcoal, filter and distil. It is freely soluble in H2O and EtOH [IR, NMR: Sterk Monatsh Chem 99 1770 1968, Thomas & Schuette J Am Chem Soc 53 2328 1931, Cox & Dodds J Am Chem Soc 55 3392 1933]. [Beilstein 3 IV 1562.]
