Which term is a colorless, flammable liquid used in perfumes, flavorings, lacquers, pharmaceuticals and rayon also as a general solvent?

• A. Ethyl
• B. Ethylene or Ethene
• C. Ethyl chloride
• D. Ethyl acetate

Answer: (D)

Ethyl acetate is the colorless, flammable liquid described. It’s a versatile general solvent used widely in perfumes, flavorings, lacquers, pharmaceuticals, and the processing of rayon. As the ester of acetic acid and ethanol, it dissolves a broad range of compounds and evaporates quickly, making it ideal for fragrances and flavor formulations where you want the solvent to evaporate and leave behind the scent or taste. In coatings like lacquers, its fast drying helps create smooth finishes. In rayon production, it serves as a solvent for cellulose acetate fibers. In pharmaceuticals, it’s used to dissolve active ingredients or extract components without leaving a heavy residue. The other terms are not appropriate because they don’t describe a liquid solvent with this broad, practical use: one is just a radical, another is a gaseous hydrocarbon, and the last is a different solvent with distinct applications.