Acetone: The Ubiquitous Solvent Powering Labs, Industries, and Everyday Life

Acetone is one of the most recognizable and versatile organic solvents in both industrial and household settings. Known for its distinct odor and rapid evaporation, acetone is a workhorse in chemical synthesis, cosmetic products, and cleaning applications. Despite its simplicity, it plays a key role in everything from pharmaceutical manufacturing to nail polish remover.

Let’s explore what makes acetone so valuable—and what to know about its safe use and chemical behavior.

What Is Acetone?

Acetone is the simplest ketone, with a structure featuring a carbonyl group (C=O) flanked by two methyl groups.

• IUPAC Name: Propan-2-one

• Chemical Formula: C₃H₆O

• Molar Mass: 58.08 g/mol

• Structure: CH₃–CO–CH₃

• Boiling Point: 56°C (132.8°F)

• Melting Point: -95°C

• Density: 0.791 g/cm³ at 20°C

• Appearance: Colorless, volatile liquid

• Odor: Sweet, fruity, sharp (easily recognizable)

Why Is Acetone So Widely Used?

Acetone is a polar aprotic solvent—meaning it has no hydrogen directly bonded to oxygen or nitrogen—making it excellent at dissolving both polar and non-polar compounds.

Key Properties:

• Rapid evaporation

• Complete miscibility with water and most organic solvents

• Relatively low toxicity (compared to many other industrial solvents)

• Low boiling point for easy removal

Major Uses of Acetone

1. Laboratory Solvent

• Used for cleaning glassware, dissolving organics, and precipitating DNA

• Commonly used in recrystallization and as a reaction solvent in organic synthesis

2. Cosmetic and Personal Care

• Found in nail polish remover, skin cleansers, and some chemical peels

• Effectively removes oils and residues from the skin and surfaces

3. Industrial and Manufacturing

• Used in plastic fabrication, paint production, adhesives, and inks

• Essential for the production of methyl methacrylate and bisphenol A (BPA)

4. Pharmaceutical Industry

• Solvent in API synthesis, extraction, and purification

• Participates in reactions involving enolates and condensations

5. Cleaning Agent

• Powerful degreaser for metal parts and machinery

• Used in electronics and 3D printing to clean or smooth ABS plastic

How Is Acetone Made?

Industrial acetone is mostly produced by the cumene process, which also yields phenol:

1. Cumene (isopropylbenzene) is oxidized to cumene hydroperoxide.

2. This intermediate is acid-cleaved to produce acetone and phenol.

Alternate methods include:

• Catalytic dehydrogenation of isopropanol

• Fermentation (biological route, less common but more sustainable)

Health and Safety Considerations

Though generally safe in small quantities, acetone requires proper handling due to its volatility and flammability.

Flammability

• Highly flammable

• Flash point: -20°C (-4°F)

• Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air

Health Risks

• Inhalation: May cause headaches, dizziness, or nausea

• Skin contact: Can cause dryness, irritation, or dermatitis with prolonged exposure

• Eye contact: Irritating; always wear eye protection

Safe Handling Practices

• Use in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods

• Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames

• Store in tightly sealed, fire-resistant containers

• Wear nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat if handling in large amounts

Environmental Impact

• Acetone is readily biodegradable and does not bioaccumulate

• Considered low toxicity to aquatic life compared to other solvents

• Still classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly

Reactivity and Compatibility

• Stable under most lab conditions

• May undergo aldol condensation under basic or acidic conditions

• Incompatible with strong oxidizers and acids

In NMR and Spectroscopy

Non-deuterated acetone is rarely used in NMR, but acetone-d₆ is common in:

• ¹H NMR: Residual proton signal at 2.05 ppm

• ¹³C NMR: Triplet around 30 ppm and 206 ppm (carbonyl)

Acetone vs. Similar Solvents

Property	Acetone	Ethanol	Diethyl Ether	DMSO
Polarity	Moderate	High	Low	Very high
Boiling Point	56°C	78.4°C	34.6°C	189°C
Flammability	High	High	Very High	Low
Water Miscibility	Complete	Complete	Partial	Complete

 

Fun Facts About Acetone

• Naturally produced in the human body during ketosis

• Detected in the breath of diabetics with ketoacidosis

• One of the earliest organic compounds to be industrially synthesized

Conclusion

Acetone is more than just nail polish remover—it's a high-performance solvent that’s central to chemistry, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and everyday life. Its chemical versatility, low cost, and ease of use make it indispensable in the lab and on the factory floor.

However, don’t let its familiarity lull you into complacency—its volatility and flammability demand proper storage and handling.

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