Acetone (also known as 2-propanone or dimethyl ketone) is the simplest and most common ketone, with the chemical formula (CH₃)₂CO. It’s a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid with a sharp odor and is miscible with water. Acetone is widely used as an organic solvent in industry, households (e.g. nail polish remover, paint thinners), and laboratories. It also has VOC-exempt status in the U.S.
🏭⚗️ production
Globally, about 6.7 million tonnes of acetone are produced annually. Most acetone (≈83%) is made through the cumene process, where it’s a co-product of phenol. Other methods include the direct oxidation of propylene and dehydrogenation of 2-propanol. Historically, it was also made via fermentation processes, such as the Weizmann process during WWI.
🧪 Applications
Solvent (≈33% of usage)
Chemical intermediate:
Methyl methacrylate (via acetone cyanohydrin)
Bisphenol A (with phenol)
Methyl isobutyl ketone and alcohol (via aldol condensation)
Synthetic terpenes (via reaction with acetylene)
⚠️ Safety
Acetone is highly flammable, with a flash point of −20 °C and an auto-ignition temperature around 465 °C. Vapors can ignite from a distant source. It should be kept away from oxidizers and certain chemicals like chloroform or hydrogen peroxide, as dangerous reactions or explosive peroxides can form.
