Yes - CH3COCH3 is acetone (CAS 67-64-1), also known as 2-propanone or dimethyl ketone. It's the simplest and most widely used member of the ketone family, and one of the most heavily traded industrial solvents worldwide. For buyers, that also means acetone comes in multiple grades and purity levels - knowing which one your application needs is the difference between a straightforward purchase and a costly requalification.
1. Identification and Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | CH₃COCH₃ (C₃H₆O) |
| CAS number | 67-64-1 |
| Appearance | Colorless, transparent liquid with a pungent odor |
| Boiling point | 56.2°C (133°F) |
| Flash point | ≈ −20°C (highly flammable) |
| Solubility | Fully miscible with water; soluble in methanol, ethanol, ether, chloroform, pyridine |
These are the baseline specs to confirm against any supplier's Certificate of Analysis (COA) - particularly boiling point and flash point, which affect storage classification, and water content, which is often the key differentiator between commercial and technical/reagent grades.
2. Production Routes - Why This Matters for Sourcing
Most commercial acetone is produced via the cumene (Hock) process, where cumene is oxidized to cumene hydroperoxide and cleaved into phenol and acetone as a co-product. Because acetone is a byproduct of phenol production, its supply and pricing often move with phenol demand - a useful thing to know when negotiating contracts or timing bulk purchases.
Other, smaller-volume routes include catalytic dehydrogenation of isopropanol and bio-based acetone-butanol fermentation. Bio-based acetone is a growing niche for buyers targeting sustainability certifications or lower-carbon supply chains, though it typically carries a price premium and more limited availability.
3. Grades and Purity - What Buyers Should Actually Specify
Acetone is sold across several grades, and the right one depends entirely on end use:
| Grade | Typical Purity | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial / technical grade | ≥99.0% | Solvent for paints, coatings, cleaning, degreasing |
| USP/ACS reagent grade | ≥99.5–99.9% | Pharmaceutical, laboratory, analytical use |
| Electronic grade | ≥99.9%, low metal/particulate content | Semiconductor and electronics cleaning |
Ordering the wrong grade is one of the most common (and expensive) procurement mistakes with acetone - technical grade is unsuitable for pharma or electronics use, while paying for electronic-grade purity on a bulk industrial cleaning application is money wasted. Always confirm grade requirements against your application before requesting quotes.
4. Main Applications
Acetone's main pull for buyers is its combination of fast evaporation and full water miscibility, which makes it easy to remove after use and keeps downstream processing simple.
As a solvent: paints, coatings, adhesives, printing inks, and industrial cleaning products, where fast flash-off speeds up production cycles.
As a chemical intermediate: a feedstock for methyl methacrylate (MMA) and bisphenol A (BPA), which in turn supply acrylic polymers and epoxy resins - this is the largest-volume use of acetone globally and the one most exposed to feedstock price swings.
In laboratories and pharmaceuticals: a standard cleaning and extraction solvent, typically sourced in reagent or USP grade with tighter documentation requirements.
5. Safety, Handling, and Regulatory Considerations for Buyers
Acetone is highly flammable and volatile, which affects more than just on-site handling - it also shapes storage classification, transport documentation, and import/export requirements.
Handling basics: keep away from ignition sources, ensure good ventilation, use grounded containers for large-volume transfers, and avoid prolonged skin or eye contact.
Documentation to request from any supplier:
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) - storage conditions, exposure limits, fire-fighting measures
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) - purity, water content, color (APHA), and other batch-specific specs
- Dangerous goods / transport classification paperwork for shipping
Buyers importing acetone should also confirm the supplier can provide correct UN number and hazard classification documentation (acetone is UN1090, Class 3 flammable liquid) - missing or incorrect paperwork is a common cause of customs delays.
6. What to Check Before Placing an Order
A quick checklist for sourcing acetone at scale:
- Grade and purity matched to your actual application, not over- or under-specified
- COA and SDS available per batch, not just a generic product sheet
- Packaging options - drums, IBCs, ISO tanks, or bulk - matched to your volume and storage capacity
- Water content and stabilizer specs, if relevant to your process
- Consistent supply, since acetone pricing and availability can shift with phenol market conditions
- Regulatory documentation for your specific import/export lane
FAQ
Is CH3COCH3 the same as acetone?
Yes. CH3COCH3 is the molecular formula for acetone (2-propanone), CAS 67-64-1.
What grade of acetone do I need for industrial cleaning?
Technical or industrial grade (≥99.0% purity) is typically sufficient for cleaning and degreasing; laboratory or pharmaceutical use requires reagent or USP grade.
Why does acetone pricing fluctuate?
Because most acetone is a co-product of phenol production via the cumene process, its price and availability are tied to phenol market dynamics rather than moving independently.
Is acetone dangerous to ship or store in bulk?
It's classified as a flammable liquid (UN1090, Class 3) and requires proper ventilation, grounded transfer equipment, and correct transport documentation, but it is routinely shipped and stored in bulk industrially with standard precautions.
Sourcing acetone for your production line? Contact our technical sales team for grade-specific COAs, SDS documentation, and packaging or bulk pricing options.
