What Are Some Uses for 100 Percent Acetone?
Pure acetone is an organic solvent that is miscible with water and has important applications in chemistry laboratories. One of its principle uses is as a cleanser for lab equipment between uses. It is also an effective nail polish remover and can be combined with other molecules to build complex organic compounds.
Acetone is a volatile, flammable compound that is a colorless liquid at room temperature. Though acetone is intrinsically odorless, commercial products that incorporate acetone often add a powerful aromatic ingredient as a safety measure. This is what gives acetone nail polish remover its characteristic scent.
As a solvent, acetone is extremely useful in dissolving paint and varnish, as well as non-polar solutes, such as oil, lipids and hydrocarbon-based compounds, such as plastic and petroleum-based resins. Acetone, as a solvent, is used in the manufacture of nylon, celluloid and many synthetic polymers. While pure acetone is volatile, it can be used to safely clean sensitive equipment and is often employed as a scrubbing agent in dry cleaning.
Acetone is potentially harmful if it comes into contact with mucous membranes or is swallowed. Acetone is often a component of particle board, furniture polish and some detergents, so care should be exercised in handling or disposing of these products.
