CH₃CHOHCOOC₂H₅ A colorless liquid that boils at 154_C, has a mild odor, and is miscible with water and organic solvents such as alcohols, ketones, esters, and hydrocarbons; used as a flavoring and as a solvent for cellulose compounds such as nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, and cellulose ethers. Also known as ethyl-2-hydroxypropionate.