Acetone...who knew?
Acetone is a colourless, highly flammable liquid with a distinctive sweet odor. It is a type of organic compound known as a ketone, with the chemical formula CH3COCH3.
Acetone is widely used as a solvent in various industries, such as in the manufacture of plastics, fibers, and pharmaceuticals. It is also used as a cleaning agent, in nail polish remover, and as a fuel additive. Acetone can be produced naturally in the human body during metabolism and is present in small amounts in the blood and urine. It is a relatively simple and versatile chemical with many practical applications.
Some of the top uses of acetone:
- Solvent: Acetone is widely used as a solvent for various substances, including oils, waxes, resins, and adhesives.
- Nail polish remover: Acetone is commonly used as a key ingredient in nail polish remover.
- Paint thinner: Acetone is a powerful paint thinner that is often used in the painting and coating industry.
- Industrial cleaner: Acetone is an effective cleaner for removing dirt, grime, and other contaminants from industrial equipment and machinery.
- Chemical intermediate: Acetone is an important chemical intermediate in the production of various chemicals, including methyl methacrylate, bisphenol A, and methyl isobutyl ketone.
- Medical use: Acetone is used in the medical field as a disinfectant and as an ingredient in some medications.
- Fuel additive: Acetone is sometimes added to gasoline to improve its performance.
- Extractions: Acetone is commonly used to extract compounds and substances from plants and other organic materials.
- Laboratory solvent: Acetone is frequently used as a solvent in laboratory settings for various experiments and procedures.
- Cleaning agent: Acetone is a highly effective cleaning agent for removing stubborn stains, such as ink, grease, and oil.
- Adhesive remover: Acetone is a powerful adhesive remover that is used to dissolve adhesives and glues.
- Rust remover: Acetone is sometimes used to remove rust and corrosion from metal surfaces.
- Degreaser: Acetone is an effective degreaser that is used to remove grease and other oily substances from surfaces.
- Sterilization: Acetone is sometimes used to sterilize medical equipment and instruments.
- Artistic use: Acetone is used by artists and craftsmen for various purposes, including cleaning brushes and thinning paint.
- PVC cement: Acetone is commonly used as a solvent for PVC cement, which is used in plumbing and construction.
- Cosmetics: Acetone is used in the production of various cosmetic products, including lotions, creams, and hair dyes.
- Printing industry: Acetone is used in the printing industry as a solvent for various inks and coatings.
- Automotive industry: Acetone is used in the automotive industry as a cleaner and degreaser for car parts and engines.
- Electronic industry: Acetone is used in the electronic industry for cleaning and degreasing electronic components and parts.
Here are three interesting or weird facts about acetone:
During World War I, acetone became a critical material for the British war effort because it was used as a solvent for cordite, a type of smokeless gunpowder. The British government launched a massive effort to produce acetone using a bacterial fermentation process, which was pioneered by a scientist named Chaim Weizmann. Weizmann’s work led to the establishment of the first large-scale industrial fermentation process, and he went on to become the first president of Israel.
Acetone was used as a cheap and effective form of anesthesia in the early 20th century. Physicians would soak a cloth in acetone and hold it over a patient’s nose and mouth, causing them to lose consciousness. However, this method was highly dangerous and could cause respiratory failure or even death.
In the 1980s, a new trend emerged in the United States called “huffing” or “bagging,” in which teenagers would inhale acetone fumes to get high. This practice was highly dangerous and could cause brain damage, kidney failure, and even death. Today, the use of acetone as a recreational drug is still a significant problem, especially among young people who are looking for a cheap and accessible high.
How is acetone made?
Acetone can be made or extracted using various methods, including:
- Dehydrogenation: Acetone can be produced by dehydrogenating isopropyl alcohol over a copper catalyst at high temperatures.
- Fermentation: Acetone can be produced through bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates, such as glucose or corn syrup, using strains of bacteria such as Clostridium acetobutylicum. This process is also known as the Weizmann process.
- Byproduct of phenol production: Acetone is often produced as a byproduct of phenol production from cumene. This method involves the oxidation of cumene to form cumene hydroperoxide, which is then cleaved to form phenol and acetone.
- Extraction from natural sources: Acetone can be extracted from natural sources such as wood, coconut shells, and petroleum.
- From acetone cyanohydrin: Acetone can also be produced by hydrolyzing acetone cyanohydrin, which is obtained from the reaction of acetone with hydrogen cyanide.
These methods produce acetone in varying quantities and purities, depending on the specific process used.
In summary
Acetone is a versatile and widely-used colorless, highly flammable liquid with a sweet odor, belonging to the ketone family. It is used in various industries, such as plastic manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and fibers, as well as in nail polish remover, cleaning agents, and fuel additives. Acetone is also naturally produced in the human body during metabolism and is present in small amounts in the blood and urine.
The most popular uses of acetone include being a solvent for oils, waxes, resins, and adhesives, as well as a key ingredient in nail polish remover, a paint thinner, and a cleaner for industrial equipment and machinery. Acetone is also used in the production of various chemicals, as a disinfectant, a fuel additive, and as an extraction agent for compounds and substances from plants and other organic materials. Acetone is used for laboratory procedures, removing stains and adhesives, rust removal, degreasing, sterilization of medical equipment, and thinning paint.
Acetone is stable and doesn’t have a specified shelf life or expiration date. However, it can absorb moisture from the air, causing it to degrade and become less effective over time. Therefore, it’s important to store acetone in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, and use it within a reasonable amount of time after opening.
Interesting facts about acetone include its use as a critical material for the British war effort during World War I, as a cheap form of anesthesia in the early 20th century, and the dangerous trend of “huffing” or “bagging” in the 1980s in the US, in which teenagers inhaled acetone fumes to get high.
Acetone can be produced through dehydrogenation, bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates, or as a byproduct of phenol production from cumene. Overall, acetone is a simple, versatile, and effective chemical with a broad range of applications across multiple industries.