Acetone is a common organic solvent that is used in many household and industrial applications. It is known for its excellent solvent properties and is often used as a cleaning agent, nail polish remover, and paint thinner.
Acetone can be made at home using simple materials and equipment you may already have at home. In this article, we will show you how to make acetone in just 30 minutes.
Materials
Here are the materials you will need to make acetone:.
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Make your own acetone in 30 minutes
- 550ml of distilled water
- 200ml of 99.5% isopropyl alcohol
- 200ml of 91% hydrogen peroxide
- Pyrex or borosilicate glass beaker (500ml or larger)
- Thermometer
- Stirring rod or glass pipette
- Goggles and gloves for personal protection
Method
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make acetone:.
- Put the Pyrex or borosilicate glass beaker on a heat-resistant surface and add 550ml of distilled water.
- Using a thermometer, heat the water until it reaches 35°C.
- Add 200ml of 99.5% isopropyl alcohol to the water and stir it with a stirring rod or glass pipette.
- Slowly add 200ml of 91% hydrogen peroxide to the mixture while stirring continuously.
- The mixture will start to bubble and a vigorous reaction will take place. This is normal.
- Continue stirring the mixture until the bubbles subside, which will take about 10 minutes.
- Increase the temperature of the mixture to 60°C and stir it for an additional 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down to room temperature.
- Once the mixture has cooled, you will see a layer of acetone on top of the water.
- Carefully pour off the acetone layer into a clean, dry container.
- The remaining water solution can be discarded.
Conclusion
Making acetone at home is simple and easy if you have the right materials and equipment. It is a cost-effective way to have acetone on hand for all your cleaning, nail polish removal, and paint thinning needs.
Always remember to wear goggles and gloves when handling any chemicals to protect yourself.
