Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid
617-35-6
C5H8O3
116.12
210-511-2
Slightly soluble in water
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Product Description
Ethyl Pyruvate is the ethyl ester of pyruvic acid and an organic α-keto ester used primarily as a fine-chemical synthesis intermediate.
Its molecule contains both a reactive ketone group and an ester group, making it suitable for multiple transformation routes in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, fragrance and specialty-chemical synthesis.
Ethyl Pyruvate is generally supplied as a clear colorless to pale-yellow liquid. Commercial grades differ in assay, water content, acidity, related impurities and regulatory documentation.
Item | Information |
|---|---|
Product name | Ethyl Pyruvate |
IUPAC name | Ethyl 2-oxopropanoate |
Alternative name | Pyruvic Acid Ethyl Ester |
CAS number | 617-35-6 |
EC number | 210-511-2 |
Molecular formula | C₅H₈O₃ |
Molecular weight | 116.12 g/mol |
Appearance | Clear colorless to pale-yellow liquid |
Boiling point | Approximately 142–148°C |
Specific gravity | Approximately 1.04–1.06 at 20°C |
Product type | Organic α-keto ester |
Primary function | Fine-chemical synthesis intermediate |
Physical-property values are reference ranges. The contractual specification and COA should be used for acceptance.
Ethyl Pyruvate is an organic compound belonging to the α-keto ester family.
It is both a fine chemical and a chemical intermediate. For website organization, it is best placed under Organic Intermediates, with Fine Chemicals as a secondary category.
It is normally used as a building block rather than as a basic commodity solvent.
Ethyl Pyruvate combines ketone and ester functionality in one relatively small molecule. This allows it to participate in hydrogenation, amination, condensation and carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions.
Its reactivity makes it useful in the preparation of more complex molecules, including selected amino-acid derivatives, heterocyclic compounds and specialty intermediates.
The required purity and impurity profile depend on the downstream reaction and purification process.
Ethyl Pyruvate can serve as a starting material or intermediate in multi-step organic synthesis. Commercial suitability depends on assay, water, acidity and related impurities.
This use does not mean that the supplied industrial product is a pharmaceutical active ingredient or approved drug product.
Its reactive carbonyl functionality may be used in the manufacture of selected crop-protection intermediates and other specialty molecules.
Appropriately documented grades may be evaluated as flavoring substances or fragrance raw materials where permitted.
Food, flavor or “natural” status must be supported by the exact production route, traceability documents and destination-market regulations. An industrial synthesis grade should not automatically be described as food grade.
High-purity grades may be used in laboratory synthesis, reaction development and analytical research.
Specification | Why It Matters |
Assay by GC | Confirms principal product concentration |
Appearance and color | Helps identify oxidation or storage changes |
Water by Karl Fischer | Important for moisture-sensitive reactions |
Acidity or acid value | Indicates free acid and possible degradation |
Refractive index | Supports product identification and consistency |
Specific gravity | Useful for formulation and receiving checks |
Related substances | Important for sensitive downstream synthesis |
Residual ethanol | May affect reaction balance or purification |
Boiling range | Helps confirm identity and distillation behavior |
Odor profile | Relevant to flavor or fragrance grades |
For synthesis projects, buyers should provide impurity limits rather than requesting only a general “98% grade.”
Ethyl Pyruvate is moisture-sensitive, heat-sensitive and flammable. Some grades are packed under inert gas to improve storage stability.
Store it:
In tightly closed, compatible containers
In a cool and well-ventilated area
Away from heat, sparks and open flames
Away from strong oxidizing agents
Protected from moisture and unnecessary light exposure
Under inert gas when required by the supplier’s specification
The exact storage temperature should follow the grade-specific label and SDS. Do not apply a reagent-grade storage temperature automatically to every commercial grade.
Use grounded equipment, non-sparking tools and appropriate ventilation. Wear suitable gloves and eye protection.
Depending on the application, buyers may request:
Certificate of Analysis
Safety Data Sheet
Technical Data Sheet
GC chromatogram
Water and acidity results
Residual-solvent statement
Origin or manufacturing-route statement
Regulatory declaration
Natural-origin documentation, when applicable
Packaging and transport information
A “natural” declaration should never be based only on the product name or odor.
AOZUN can support buyers with:
Grade and assay matching
Application-specific impurity review
COA, SDS and technical-document support
Sample evaluation
Compatible export packaging
Logistics coordination for flammable liquids
Pre-shipment quality verification
Grade availability, natural status and regulatory documentation should be confirmed before purchase.
Yes. It is an organic α-keto ester containing both ketone and ester functional groups.
It is both. Commercially, it is mainly positioned as a fine organic intermediate for downstream synthesis.
No. Food or flavor use requires a specifically compliant grade and appropriate regulatory, purity and traceability documents.
Water may influence moisture-sensitive reactions, storage stability, assay results and downstream purification.
Some grades recommend refrigerated or cool storage, while others may have different requirements. Follow the exact product specification, label and SDS.
Contact AOZUN with the required assay, water limit, acidity, application, packaging, quantity, destination and documentation requirements.
We can help evaluate a suitable Ethyl Pyruvate grade and prepare a quotation for your synthesis or formulation project.