Skip to content
Exercise · Q28

Q.State two major uses of acetone, and explain, on the basis of its physical properties, why it is a widely used organic solvent.

West Bengal WbchseTextbookSubjectiveImportance★★★★★est
50% · 28/56 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Because acetone is a small, polar molecule, it is fully miscible with water; but because it also has a sizeable non-polar methyl-carbonyl-methyl framework, it can dissolve resins, plastics, fats and other largely non-polar organic substances as well -- a combination few common solvents achieve, making it useful for cleaning and dissolving across a wide range of otherwise incompatible material types. Its low boiling point (56 ∘C56\,^\circ\text{C}) means it evaporates rapidly at room temperature, leaving no residue behind, which is exactly why it is the active ingredient in most nail-polish removers and a common industrial solvent for paints, varnishes and adhesives. It is also an important starting material in the synthesis of methyl methacrylate, used to …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.