Methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3), also known as methyl ethanoate, is indeed a commonly used fatty acid ester with various applications due to its unique properties. Here's a bit more information about its uses and characteristics:

1. Solvent: Methyl acetate is primarily utilized as a solvent in various industries. Its excellent solubility properties make it suitable for use in coatings, inks, adhesives, and other formulations. It's often chosen as a replacement for traditional solvents with more adverse environmental effects.

2. Coatings and Paints: Methyl acetate is a key ingredient in many coatings and paints due to its ability to dissolve resins, pigments, and binders. It's commonly used in industrial coatings, wood coatings, automotive paints, and more.

3. Inks: Methyl acetate is used in the production of inks, particularly in the printing industry. It can dissolve dyes and pigments, providing a consistent color and quality in printing applications.

4. Adhesives: Methyl acetate is employed in the manufacturing of adhesives and sealants. Its ability to dissolve various components helps create adhesive formulations with desired properties such as viscosity, adhesion, and drying time.

5. Pharmaceuticals: Methyl acetate finds applications in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent for various drug formulations and in the synthesis of certain pharmaceutical compounds.

6. Pesticide Intermediates: Methyl acetate can be used as an intermediate in the production of pesticides. It serves as a building block in the synthesis of certain pesticide compounds.

7. Nail Polish Removers: Due to its effective solvent properties, methyl acetate is sometimes found in nail polish removers as an alternative to more aggressive solvents.

One of the advantages of using methyl acetate is its relatively low toxicity and low volatility compared to some other solvents, which can contribute to better worker safety and reduced environmental impact.