Acetone

General Properties

Acetone, also known as propanone or dimethyl ketone, is an organic chemical that is flammable, strong and pleasant scented and it has low toxicity. It is the simplest ketone. It is combined with water, ethanol and ether in every amount. It is naturally found in human blood. It can increase in diabetic patients. It is an important chemical that is used both in consumer products and industrial processes.

Production

Although acetone had been produced by other methods in the past, 85% of it is produced by cumene process in today’s chemistry. In this process, it is transformed into benzene and propylene, phenol and acetone. Therefore, acetone production is connected to phenol production. For this process to be cost-efficient, both materials are needed to be in demand.

Applications

It is estimated that there are 7 million tons of acetone is produced every year. It is used as pioneer precessor substance for methyl methacrylate, bisphenol A, methyl isobutyl and methyl isobutyl ketone. It is also used in polyester resin thinning, cleaning resin-producing machines, dissolving glue and epoxy. It is preferred as volatile compound for many dyes and varnishes. It is also used as oil remover. It is also a good acetylene carrier.

In consumer product business, it is mostly used as nail polish remover. It is also good for removing dyes and oils as it has low toxicity.

Safety Measures and Toxic Values

Acetone is extremely flammable and it can easily create explosive mixtures with air. If it is oxidized with oxidizers such as hydrogen peroxide, it creates acetone peroxide which is a very strong explosive. Therefore it must be stored in tightly closed containers and it must be kept away from fire sources.