PURPOSE: To obtain a solvent, containing an alkyl ester of a specific saturated aliphatic tertiary carboxylic acid, capable of reducing physioligical toxicity and danger of combustion or ignition, simultaneously excellent in solvency power for synthetic resins and suitable as coatings, adhesives, etc.

CONSTITUTION: A solvent containing an alkyl ester of a saturated aliphatic tertiary carboxylic acid expressed by the formula (R1 to R4 are 1-19C alkyl). The compound expressed by the formula is obtained by esterifying a saturated aliphatic tertiary carboxylic acid with an alcohol. Since the vapor pressure of the aforementioned solvent is low, there is low danger of inhaling the vapor. Since saturated fatty acid esters have no especially serious toxicity as opposed to aromatic solvents inflicting severe injuries on hematopoietic action, the solvent has extremely high safety. Since the flash point is low, the solvent has reduced danger of combustion or ignition and is a low-pollution solvent excellent in solvency power and usable also as a cosolvent.