Acetone: Structure, Properties, Preparation & Uses

Acetone is a colorless liquid solvent that can dissolve or break down materials such as paint or grease.

• Acetone is the simplest and most important aliphatic ketone.
• The chemical formula of Acetone is C₃H₆O.
• It is also known as dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, propanone, and beta-ketopropane.
• Pure acetone is an aromatic and flammable organic compound that evaporates quickly into the air.
• It is naturally present in trees, tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and landfills. 
• Acetone is used in the manufacturing of artificial fibers and explosives. 

Key Terms: Acetone, Ketone, Solvent, Propanone, Dimethyl Ketone, Human Body, Keto-enol Tautomerism, Benzene, Cumene Process, Fats, resins, cellulose ethers, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose

---

What is Acetone?

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Acetone is the simplest and smallest of the ketone family with the chemical formula C₃H₆O.

• It is a colorless, highly combustible liquid with an unpleasant odor.
• Acetone can dissolve fats, resins, cellulose ethers, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, and other cellulose esters.
• Acetone is produced and eliminated by the natural metabolic processes of the human body.
• It is commonly found in the blood and urine.
• Acetone is a widely used solvent in the manufacture of plastics and other industrial goods.
• It is also found in a few domestic products, such as cosmetics and personal care items, with nail paint removers being the most common use.

Read More: 

---

Structure of Acetone

[Click Here for Previous Year Questions]

Acetone chemical formula is given as C₃H₆O. It can also be written as (CH₃)₂CO.

• One molecule of Acetone consists of three carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom.
• In acetone, the structural arrangement of these atoms consists of two methyl groups (CH₃) attached on either side of a central carbon atom.
• The carbon atom in the middle is also double-bonded with an oxygen atom forming a carbonyl or ketone functional group.

The structure of Acetone is given as follows: 

---

Properties of Acetone

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

The important properties of Acetone are specified below:

---

Preparation of Acetone

[Click Here for Previous Year Questions]

Acetone is an organic compound produced from the raw material of propylene and benzene.

• Around 83% of acetone in the industry is produced by the Cumene Process.
• During the cumene process, benzene is alkylated with propylene in order to produce cumene.
• It is then oxidized by air to produce phenol and acetone. 
• At last, acetone and phenol are separated using distillation.

---

Chemical Properties of Acetone

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Acetone is a member of the family of organic compounds called Ketones. It undergoes several chemical reactions due to its structural properties. Here are a few important chemical properties of Acetone:

Keto-enol Tautomerism

• Acetone, like most ketones, has keto-enol tautomerism, which means that the enol isomer (CH₃)C(OH)=(CH₂) is in equilibrium with the nominal keto structure (CH₃)₂C=O).
• At ambient temperature, just 2.4107% of the molecules in acetone vapor are in the enol form.
• The enol form is critical in several chemical reactions.

Haloform Reaction

Acetone undergoes a haloform reaction in the presence of the CH3-C=O group. It reacts with halogen in presence of alkali in order to form haloform and acid salt.

---

Uses of Acetone

[Click Here for Previous Year Questions]

Acetone is used in numerous industrial processes as a solvent and acetylene carrier, used for cleaning, chemical research, etc. Acetone is used in small amounts to create products that break down or dissolve substances such as

• Nail Polish
• Paint
• Varnish

Acetone is also used for a variety of purposes in the industrial setup such as

• It is used for removing grease or gum from textiles such as wool and silk.
• Used for making lacquers for cars or furniture.
• It is also utilized in making plastics.

A few other important uses of Acetone are as follows: 

• Acetone is used as a precursor for methyl methacrylate.
• It is used in some drugs in the pharmaceutical industry.
• It is also used to rinse lab glassware in laboratories. 

---

Health Hazards of Acetone

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Though Acetone is not that toxic for humans in small amounts, however, there are several risk factors associated with this compound:

• Acetone is a highly flammable compound that has low acute and chronic toxicity.
• It can cause a sore throat or cough on inhalation of small amounts.
• Inhaling moderate to high amounts of acetone can irritate our nose, throat, lungs, and eyes.
• It can also lead to headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, effects on the blood, passing out, shorter menstrual cycle in women, and possible coma.

---

Things to Remember

• Acetone is a colorless volatile liquid with the chemical formula C₃H₆O.
• It is the simplest ketone also known as propanone and dimethyl ketone.
• Acetone is miscible in water, ethanol, and ether and has a pungent, floral, or irritating smell.
• It is an organic compound that contains hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon atoms. 
• Acetone is produced from the raw material of propylene and benzene.
• It is used in various applications in the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics, laboratory, and domestic purposes.

Check More: 

---

Previous Year Questions

1. Give IUPAC name of Acetone…
2. Acetone and Propanal are… (KCET 2013)
3. A mixture of acetone (b.p. 56^∘) and methanol…
4. When acetone reacts with bleaching powder, the compound… (JIPMER 2001)
5. Which of the following is the process used for the… (BITSAT 2012)
6. MgBr₂ and Mgl₂ are soluble in acetone because of…
7. Aldehydes can be distinguished from ketones…
8. Aldehydes or ketones when treated with… (MHT CET 2017)
9. Which of the following ketones will not respond to iodoform… (BITSAT 2007)
10. The number of isomers ketones with formula…