What is Acetone?
Acetone is a chemical compound that is majorly used as the solvent in chemical industries and as an antiseptic in medicines. It is also a precursor in organic synthesis. The chemical formula for the compound is CH3COCH3 and its condensed formula is C3H6O with a molecular weight of 58.08 g mol -1.
Acetone Structure
This is the simplest ketone that is formed by combining three carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms together. They are connected through double bonds and forms a planar trigonal geometry with sp2 hybridization. The chemical structure for the compound is given as below.
Acetone can be extracted from nature and taken as the major part of many orgasms in plants or animals. It is available in volcanic gases too. Particularly, it is produced in human bodies through a metabolic process of ketosis. The process is present in people with diabetes or low carbohydrates diet.
Acetone Formula CH3COCH3
The most common method for preparing acetone include oxidation of cumene. Now, when it comes to physical properties, Acetone is a colorless compound with sweetish odor and volatile liquid. The melting point of a compound is -94.9 ºC and its boiling point is 0.785 g mL -1 approx.
About Acetone
It is highly miscible with water, benzene, alcohol, ether etc. It is less electronegative than oxygen. So, it can be used as a reactant with nucleophilic molecules that attacks carbonyl carbon deficient in electrons. When inhaled in excess quantity, it may cause serious damage to eyes and mucous irritation too. It is used on medicinal or cosmetic products too especially nail paint remover.