Acetone

Acetone (CAS 67-64-1), also known by its FEMA 3326 designation in flavour applications, is one of the most commercially traded ketone solvents in the global chemical market.

Where is Acetone used?

• Plastics and polymer processing: dissolves and thins cellulose acetate, polyester resins, and epoxy systems during fabrication and surface preparation
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: process solvent for active ingredient extraction, recrystallisation, and equipment cleaning where residue-free evaporation is critical
• Printing and packaging: cleans ink systems and prepares substrates for adhesion
• Metalworking and precision manufacturing: removes machining oils, flux residues, and contaminants from metal surfaces prior to coating or assembly
• It dissolves a broad range of resins, oils, waxes, and synthetic polymers.
• Used as a solvent and intermediate in the synthesis of methyl methacrylate and bisphenol A.
• Used to clean electronic devices and to remove residues after soldering.
• Used in acetylene gas cylinders to allow safe storage.

Good to know: Pharmaceutical-grade (USP/BP) specifications are required for drug manufacturing and medical device cleaning applications.

Formulation notes

• Containers must be grounded and bonded during bulk transfer.
• Should not be mixed with strong oxidizers, concentrated acids or reactive agents.
• Should not be used on artificial fibers such as acetate, triacetate, and acrylic.
• Reacts violently with nitric acid.

Typical specification

• Isopropyl alcohol specification is maximum 0.05%.
• Methanol specification is maximum 0.05%.
• Sold in ACS Reagent grade and Technical grade.
• Purity specification is minimum 99.5%.
• Water content specification is maximum 0.5%.

Regulatory status

• Packaged according to ADR regulations for flammable liquids.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Products containing acetone should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated place away from direct heat.

Frequently asked questions about Acetone

What materials are incompatible with acetone?

Acetone should not be mixed with strong oxidizers, concentrated acids or reactive agents, and it reacts violently with nitric acid.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.