Acetone CAS 67-64-1
Chelora Chemicals supplies technical and pharmaceutical grade acetone to MMA, bisphenol-A, coatings, pharmaceutical and cleaning users worldwide. Every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA covering purity, water, acidity and permanganate time, the current SDS and full dangerous-goods documentation.
Also known as: Dimethyl ketone · 2-Propanone · Propan-2-one · Ketone propane · DMK
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for Acetone, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (purity, water, acidity, permanganate time)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and dangerous-goods documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is Acetone?
Acetone is the simplest ketone, C₃H₆O, a clear, highly volatile, flammable liquid boiling at 56 °C with a characteristic sweet odour. It is completely miscible with water and dissolves a very wide range of organic materials.
Nearly all acetone is a co-product of phenol manufacture, produced in fixed ratio by the cumene process, which means supply follows phenol rather than acetone demand.
The main chemical outlets are methyl methacrylate, bisphenol-A and aldol derivatives such as MIBK. Beyond those, acetone is one of the most widely used industrial and laboratory solvents in the world.
It has low toxicity by solvent standards and is naturally present in the human body, but it is highly flammable and its volatility makes vapour control the main handling concern.
Why Acetone specifically
- Exceptional solvency. Dissolves resins, fats, oils, cellulose acetate and most polymers while remaining water miscible.
- Fast evaporation. Leaves surfaces clean and dry quickly, which suits cleaning and coating applications.
- Reactive carbonyl. Undergoes aldol condensation, cyanohydrin formation and condensation with phenol.
- Low toxicity for a solvent. Comparatively benign health profile, which is why it is accepted in pharmaceutical and cosmetic use.
How Acetone is Manufactured
Acetone comes overwhelmingly from the cumene process as the phenol co-product, with small volumes from IPA dehydrogenation.
- Cumene oxidation. Cumene is oxidised to cumene hydroperoxide in the phenol plant.
- Acid cleavage. Sulphuric acid cleaves the hydroperoxide to phenol and acetone in fixed ratio.
- Separation. Acetone is distilled off as the light product of the cleavage mixture.
- Purification. Further distillation removes aldehydes, methanol, water and mesityl oxide.
- IPA dehydrogenation. A secondary route dehydrogenates isopropyl alcohol over a copper or zinc catalyst, used where on-purpose acetone is needed.
- Finishing. Final treatment delivers the permanganate time and water figures that solvent and pharmaceutical grades require.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of commercial technical-grade acetone. Pharmaceutical and electronic grades carry tighter limits — tell us the use and we will send the matching sheet.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, free of suspended matter |
| Acetone purity | 99.5% min by weight |
| Water content | 0.3% max |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | To grade, typically 20 ppm max |
| Methanol | To grade, typically 500 ppm max |
| Aldehydes (as acetaldehyde) | To grade, typically 100 ppm max |
| Permanganate time | To grade, typically 120 minutes min |
| Non-volatile residue | To grade, typically 20 ppm max |
| Colour (Pt-Co) | 5 max |
| Distillation range | Within 1 °C including 56.1 °C |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C₃H₆O (CH₃COCH₃) |
| Molecular weight | 58.08 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, characteristic sweet odour |
| Boiling point | 56.1 °C |
| Melting point | −94.7 °C |
| Flash point | About −20 °C (closed cup) |
| Density | 0.790 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Vapour pressure | About 24 kPa at 20 °C |
| Vapour density (relative to air) | 2.0, heavier than air |
| Flammable limits in air | About 2.5 to 13% by volume |
| Autoignition temperature | About 465 °C |
| Solubility in water | Completely miscible |
| Evaporation rate (BuAc = 1) | About 5.6 — very fast |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidisers, acids, bases, chloroform, hydrogen peroxide |
Behaviour in the process
Acetone is easy to use and hard to contain, and most handling issues follow from its volatility:
- Very high volatility. Evaporates rapidly, with a flash point well below ambient; losses during open handling are significant.
- Water miscible. Spills dilute rather than float, and alcohol-resistant foam is needed for fire response.
- Dissolves many plastics. Attacks polystyrene, PVC, polycarbonate, ABS and many coatings; check container and seal compatibility.
- Hygroscopic. Picks up water from humid air, which matters where the water specification is tight.
Acetone Grades and Alternative Solvents
Acetone is bought by grade, and the grade is defined by water, permanganate time and residue rather than headline purity.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Technical-grade acetone | 99.5%+ | General solvent, cleaning, resin and chemical use |
| Pharmaceutical grade | USP, EP or BP compliant | API synthesis, crystallisation and cleaning in regulated manufacture |
| Electronic grade | Very low residue and metals | Semiconductor and precision cleaning |
| Methyl ethyl ketone | C₄ ketone, CAS 78-93-3 | Slower evaporation, better for coatings where flash-off control matters |
| Isopropyl alcohol | C₃ alcohol, CAS 67-63-0 | Cleaning where acetone's aggressive solvency would damage substrates |
Stated plainly: acetone is usually the cheapest and fastest-evaporating option, which is exactly why it is wrong for some jobs. Where a coating needs time to level, MEK or an ester is the better solvent even though acetone would dissolve the resin perfectly.
Industries We Supply Acetone To
Acetone reaches chemicals, coatings, pharmaceuticals and consumer products, with specification tightening sharply at the regulated end.
Where Acetone is Used
MMA and bisphenol-A take the largest chemical shares, while solvent and cleaning uses account for the broadest customer base.
As an industrial solvent
Acetone's combination of fast evaporation, broad solvency and water miscibility makes it the default for cleaning and resin removal. The same properties cause problems: it flashes off before a coating can level, and it attacks many plastics, so compatibility testing on substrates and containers is worth doing before committing to a changeover.
In MMA manufacture
Acetone reacts with hydrogen cyanide to acetone cyanohydrin, which is then converted with sulphuric acid and methanol to methyl methacrylate. This remains the dominant MMA route worldwide, and it is a major reason that the acetone surplus from phenol production finds a home.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, the grade, water limit and permanganate time your use requires, the packing format you can receive and the annual quantity. We will come back with a price, a lead time, a sample COA and the full documentation set.
Quality Control & Testing
Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with permanganate time and water reported alongside purity because they define solvent and pharmaceutical quality.
- Acetone purity and water content — by gas chromatography and Karl Fischer titration.
- Permanganate time — the sensitive test for oxidisable contamination.
- Acidity — measured because acidic material affects reactions and corrodes equipment.
- Methanol and aldehydes — reported as the characteristic process impurities.
- Non-volatile residue — critical for cleaning and electronic applications.
- Colour and distillation range — confirming identity and freedom from contamination.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When acetone causes trouble, it is usually water pick-up, residue, permanganate time or substrate compatibility. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Water content high on arrival | Hygroscopic pick-up or a wet transfer system | Water result, container seal and line dryness |
| Residue left after cleaning | Non-volatile residue in the acetone or contaminated equipment | Residue figure on the COA and line cleanliness |
| Permanganate time short | Oxidisable contamination from transfer or a previous cargo | Permanganate result and tank cleaning certificate |
| Coating blushing or poor levelling | Rapid evaporation and moisture condensation | Solvent blend design and application humidity |
| Plastic container or seal attacked | Acetone dissolving incompatible polymer | Material compatibility of containers, hoses and seals |
| Losses higher than expected | Evaporation during open handling | Closed transfer, container sealing and ambient temperature |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. 200 L drums, 1000 L IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tank containers and bulk parcel cargoes.
- Storage. Cool, well-ventilated, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage away from ignition sources.
- Static control. Bond and earth all equipment and use bottom filling.
- Vapour control. Keep containers sealed; acetone evaporates rapidly and losses from open handling are substantial.
- Material compatibility. Carbon steel and stainless steel are fine. Acetone attacks polystyrene, PVC, polycarbonate, ABS and many elastomers.
- Fire provision. Alcohol-resistant foam is required, as standard hydrocarbon foam is destroyed by water-miscible solvents.
- Shelf life. Indefinite in sealed, dry storage. Water content and permanganate time are the practical checks.
- Transport classification. UN 1090, acetone, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II.
Hazards & Safe Handling
Acetone is highly flammable with a flash point well below ambient. Its toxicity is low for a solvent — it occurs naturally in the body — so fire and vapour control, not health effects, dominate its handling.
- Flammability. Flash point about −20 °C with a flammable range of roughly 2.5 to 13%. Vapour is heavier than air and travels to ignition sources.
- Low systemic toxicity. Acetone is a normal metabolite in the human body and has a comparatively benign health profile, but high vapour concentrations cause dizziness and narcosis.
- Eye and respiratory irritation. Vapour irritates eyes and the respiratory tract at moderate concentrations.
- Occupational exposure. Typical limits are around 500 ppm as an 8-hour average; confirm the limit in your jurisdiction.
- Defatting. Repeated skin contact removes natural oils and causes dermatitis. Use gloves rated for ketones.
- Fire response. Alcohol-resistant foam is required; standard foam breaks down on water-miscible solvents.
- Static control. Bond and earth all transfer equipment; acetone accumulates charge during flow.
- Environment. Readily biodegradable; contain spills to prevent oxygen depletion in watercourses.
Regulatory & Compliance Notes
Acetone is a widely traded solvent with established transport, occupational and VOC controls. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Flammable liquid Category 2, eye irritation Category 2 and STOT SE Category 3 for narcotic effects.
- Dangerous goods transport. UN 1090, Class 3, PG II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to packaging, labelling and routing.
- Precursor controls. Acetone is a listed drug precursor in many jurisdictions and sales may require end-use declarations and record keeping.
- Pharmacopoeial grades. USP, EP and BP monographs apply where acetone is used in pharmaceutical manufacture, including residual solvent limits.
- VOC regulation. Acetone is exempt from VOC definitions in some jurisdictions because of its low photochemical reactivity, which has driven its use in compliant coatings.
- REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on the major chemical inventories.
We Supply Acetone Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Acetone from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.
- Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
- Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
- Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
- Flexible volumes. From a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
- Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.
Buying Acetone from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For acetone that means settling three things at enquiry: the grade and residue limits your application needs, the packing format for your receiving setup, and any precursor documentation your jurisdiction requires.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (purity, water, acidity, permanganate time), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
- Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
- Quantities. From a pallet of drums through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
- Grade matching. Technical, pharmacopoeial or electronic grade, to the water, residue and permanganate limits your use requires.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Phenol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Methyl Ethyl Ketone and other feedstocks alongside Acetone from one supplier.
How ordering works
- Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
- We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
- Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
- Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
- Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
- Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.
Acetone — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about Acetone. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of acetone?
The CAS number for acetone is 67-64-1, and its EC number is 200-662-2. Its molecular formula is C₃H₆O with a molecular weight of 58.08 g/mol, and it is classified under HS code 2914.11.
What is acetone used for?
As a chemical feedstock for methyl methacrylate, bisphenol-A and MIBK, and as one of the most widely used industrial solvents for cleaning, degreasing, resin thinning, pharmaceutical processing and nail care products.
Do you supply acetone worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports acetone worldwide — across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, as well as throughout India, in drums, IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tanks and bulk.
How is acetone manufactured?
Almost entirely as the co-product of phenol manufacture through the cumene process, in fixed ratio of about 0.6 tonnes of acetone per tonne of phenol. A secondary route dehydrogenates isopropyl alcohol.
Why is acetone usually cheap?
Because it is produced in fixed proportion to phenol whether or not the acetone market wants it. The structural surplus from the phenol chain keeps acetone priced below what an on-purpose process would require.
Is acetone hazardous?
It is highly flammable with a flash point around −20 °C, which is the main hazard. Its toxicity is low for a solvent — acetone occurs naturally in the body — though high vapour concentrations cause dizziness and it defats skin.
What are the UN number and transport class?
UN 1090, acetone, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to packaging, labelling and routing.
What is permanganate time?
A test measuring how long acetone takes to decolourise a permanganate solution. It detects oxidisable trace impurities that individual specifications miss, and it is usually the first indicator of contamination in a transfer system.
How should acetone be stored?
In cool, well-ventilated, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage with sealed containers, away from ignition sources and oxidisers, with alcohol-resistant foam available for fire response.
What materials does acetone attack?
Polystyrene, PVC, polycarbonate, ABS and many elastomers and coatings. Carbon steel and stainless steel are fine. Always check hose, seal and container compatibility before a changeover.
Is acetone a controlled substance?
It is a listed drug precursor in many jurisdictions, so sales may require end-use declarations, customer verification and record keeping. We handle that documentation as part of supply.
What packing sizes and order quantities are available?
200 L drums, 1000 L IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tank containers and bulk parcel cargoes. Orders run from a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk cargoes on contract supply.
Ready to source Acetone?
Send us your specification, grade and annual volume. You will get a price, a realistic lead time and a sample COA from someone who understands what the material has to do in your process — delivered anywhere in the world.