Chemical laboratory

Acetone

High-Purity Industrial Solvent and Chemical Intermediate

  • CAS 67-64-1
  • Formula C₃H₆O
  • Flash Pt -20 °C
  • Density 0.791 g/cm³

Physical & Chemical Properties

Property Value Unit
Boiling point 56.05 °C °C
Flash point -20 °C °C
Density 0.791 g/cm³ g/cm³
Solubility Miscible with water -
Ph N/A -
Molecular weight 58.08 g/mol g/mol
Melting point -94.7 °C °C
Vapor pressure 184 mmHg at 20°C mmHg
Autoignition temp 465 °C -
Appearance Clear, colorless liquid -
Odor Sweet, acetone-like -
Vapor density 2.0 (air = 1) g/cm³

Overview

Acetone (C₃H₆O) is a versatile, fast-evaporating organic solvent widely recognized for its exceptional dissolving properties and rapid drying characteristics. This clear, colorless liquid with a distinctive sweet odor serves as one of the most important industrial solvents, offering excellent miscibility with water and most organic compounds. With a molecular weight of 58.08 g/mol and a low boiling point of 56.05°C, acetone provides efficient processing capabilities across diverse manufacturing applications.

Key Applications

As an industrial solvent, acetone excels in paint and coating formulations, providing rapid drying and excellent film formation properties. Its strong dissolving power makes it invaluable for cleaning metal surfaces, degreasing components, and removing adhesive residues in manufacturing operations. In chemical manufacturing, acetone serves as a critical intermediate in producing methyl methacrylate, bisphenol A, and various pharmaceutical compounds. The polymer industry relies on acetone for manufacturing polycarbonates and epoxy resins, while its purity and consistent quality make it an essential laboratory reagent for analytical procedures and research applications.

Safety & Handling

Acetone requires careful handling due to its highly flammable nature, with a flash point of -20°C and an autoignition temperature of 465°C. Always use in well-ventilated areas or under fume hoods, as acetone vapors are heavier than air (vapor density 2.0) and can accumulate in low-lying areas. Required personal protective equipment includes safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and appropriate respiratory protection when ventilation is inadequate. Keep away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames, and ensure proper grounding of equipment to prevent static electricity buildup during transfer operations.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store acetone in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers, acids, and bases. Use only approved containers made of steel, aluminum, or compatible plastics, ensuring tight seals to prevent evaporation and contamination. Maintain storage temperatures below 37°C and implement appropriate fire suppression systems in storage areas. When properly stored in original containers, acetone maintains its quality indefinitely, though regular quality checks are recommended for critical applications.

Why Alliance Chemical

Alliance Chemical delivers high-quality Acetone directly from our Taylor, Texas facility, ensuring fresh product and competitive pricing through reduced transportation costs. Our comprehensive logistics network offers same-day shipping via UPS for smaller quantities, with LTL and FTL options available for bulk orders. Every shipment includes complete Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (COA) to support your compliance requirements and quality control processes, backed by our commitment to technical support and reliable supply chain management.

Shipping & Availability

Parcel Shipping

UPS Ground supports pints, quarts, and most 1-gallon packages nationwide.

LTL Freight

5-gallon pails, drums, and totes move via LTL carriers such as ABF Freight, SEFL, Saia, and XPO.

Full Truckload

FTL available for palletized bulk orders. Competitive freight rates.

Local Pickup

Same-day pickup at our Taylor, TX warehouse for Texas customers.

SDS, COA, and TDS available for every product • Same-day shipping on orders before 1 PM CT

Frequently Asked Questions

What is acetone (CAS 67-64-1) and what is it commonly used for?
Acetone (C3H6O, CAS 67-64-1) is a volatile, colorless organic solvent used widely for cleaning, degreasing, paint and coating formulation, adhesive manufacture, polymer processing and as a laboratory solvent and reagent. It is valued for fast evaporation, good solvency for many organics, and miscibility with water.
How should acetone be stored and what is its typical shelf life?
Store acetone in tightly closed, labeled containers in a cool, dry, well‑ventilated area away from heat, sparks and oxidizers, and follow local flammable‑liquid storage codes. Chemically stable when sealed and uncontaminated, suppliers commonly recommend using within 12 months to ensure specified purity, though it may remain usable longer if properly stored.
Is acetone hazardous and what safety precautions should I take when handling it?
Acetone is highly flammable and can cause eye/skin irritation and central nervous system effects with high or prolonged exposure; avoid sources of ignition, use in well‑ventilated areas or fume hoods, and wear appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, flame‑resistant clothing). Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for exposure limits, first‑aid, spill response and fire‑fighting measures.
What concentration or grade options are available for acetone and how do they differ?
Acetone is offered in multiple grades—industrial/technical grade for general cleaning, reagent/ACS grade for general lab use, HPLC and solvent‑grade for analytical work, and anhydrous grades with very low water content for moisture‑sensitive processes. Higher‑purity/anhydrous grades have lower water and impurity levels and command a premium for sensitive applications.
What documentation does a supplier provide for acetone?
Suppliers typically provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA) or product specification sheet, and shipping documentation; these detail hazards, handling, physical properties, analytical purity and regulatory information. Request certificates and SDSs matching the specific lot/grade you purchase.
How is acetone shipped and what packaging options are common?
Acetone is shipped as a flammable liquid (UN1090, Class 3) using UN‑approved packaging and is subject to ADR/IMDG/IATA regulations; air transport may have additional restrictions. Common packaging includes steel or plastic drums, IBCs/totes, tank trucks for bulk, and smaller safety cans or bottles for labs.
Is acetone compatible with metals, plastics and sealing materials?
Acetone is compatible with glass, stainless steel (304/316) and PTFE, but it attacks many elastomers, paints, coatings and plastics such as polystyrene, polycarbonate and some rubbers. Always verify chemical compatibility for gaskets, seals and storage containers and test critical components before use.
What are the key technical specifications for acetone I should check?
Key specs include CAS 67-64-1, formula C3H6O, molar mass 58.08 g/mol, boiling point ~56 °C, melting point ~−95 °C, density ~0.784 g/mL at 20 °C, flash point ≈ −20 °C (closed cup), and miscibility with water. For purchase, also review listed purity, water content, and impurities on the COA.
Which industries and applications commonly use acetone?
Acetone is used across coatings and paints, adhesives and sealants, plastics and polymer production, electronics cleaning, industrial degreasing, chemical intermediate manufacture and laboratory/analytical applications such as sample preparation and chromatography. Its fast evaporation and solvency make it popular for surface preparation and formulation work.
How do I purchase acetone and what availability and regulatory requirements should I expect?
Acetone is widely available from chemical distributors in various grades and pack sizes from small bottles to bulk tankers; lead time depends on volume and grade. Purchasing and transport require compliance with local hazardous goods regulations, appropriate storage arrangements, and may require account setup or documentation from your organization.

Documentation & Downloads

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