Acetone is a colorless, flammable liquid commonly used as a solvent and found in nail polish remover. It is a simple ketone consisting of a carbonyl group and two CH3 molecules. Acetone is artificially produced and used to create bisphenol A, found in many products. It is also naturally produced in mammals and can reduce seizures in children. While harmless in low quantities, prolonged body contact should be avoided due to its hazardous properties.
Acetone is a colorless, highly flammable liquid most commonly associated with nail polish remover. This substance is a ketone, a group of materials that all have a similar molecular composition consisting of a carbonyl group bonded to two other atoms or molecules of any kind. Ketones are a very diverse group and contain a large number of unrelated substances such as sugars, pheromones, polymers and solvents. Acetone is a very simple ketone, consisting of a carbonyl and two CH3 molecules.
The chemistry of acetone looks much more complex than it actually is. The center of the substance is a carbonyl group; this is simply an atom of carbon and oxygen that are doubly bonded with each other. Next, the carbonyl group is bonded to two CH3 molecules, which means a molecule composed of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms. This simple construction gives acetone a wide range of properties and makes it easy to process into other materials.
The material has a wide range of different properties. It is a colorless liquid that evaporates and self-ignites at relatively low temperatures. It’s heavier than air, so the vapor will move along surfaces rather than float. This makes it particularly dangerous as the vapor can travel to an ignition source and back into the liquid. Also, it is a solvent, meaning it can dissolve other materials, and miscible with water, meaning it will mix easily in any amount.
Most of the acetone used in the world today is artificially produced, but it is a natural substance. Most mammals and some other animals naturally produce acetone within their bodies. Some studies have also found that diets high in ketones increase acetone levels and reduce the likelihood of seizures in children. The amounts produced within a person’s body pale in comparison to the more than 6.5 million tons produced annually worldwide.
While many processes use acetone as-is, many others require further processing to turn it into a different substance. The most common end product is bisphenol A (BPA), a substance found in a huge number of products. BPA is used to create man-made polymers and resins and can be found in everything from plastic water bottles to metal can liners to thermal paper.
Most Americans recognize acetone as nail polish remover. This takes advantage of its capabilities as a solvent, it is harmless in low quantities to human skin but quickly dissolves the polymer-based enamel used in modern cosmetics. Even so, acetone is a hazardous substance and prolonged body contact should be avoided.
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