About Organic Solvent
Organic solvents are those which are used by every human being in most of the daily routine activities such as disinfectant treatment to remove tough grease stains, perfumes or cologne, laundry detergents, etc.,
Organic solvents are chemical compounds that have a carbon-based molecular structure, they are widely used in dissolving material to create a solution or even to extract one material from another material. In general, the solvent is a substance that has the capability to dissolve any other substance. All these solvents consist of carbon atoms in the compound structure.
The molecular structure of an organic solvent consists of a carbon atom and in a few cases has hydrogen atoms. These solvents are mainly classified into molecular structures as natural and synthetic solvents.
Natural Solvents – The solvents that are naturally produced by living organisms are called natural solvents.
Synthetic Solvents – The solvents that are produced from chemical reactions in various organic compounds are called synthetic solvents.
Types of Organic Solvents
The organic solvents are classified into different types based on the structure and the functional group. They are,
Aliphatic Solvents- These are solvents that belong to the alkene classes. They are generally nonpolar in nature. Oil extraction, paint, dye, pharmaceuticals, polymerization, and adhesives are some applications of aliphatic solvents.
Aromatic Solvents- These solvents are similar to the aliphatic solvents as they are nonpolar solvents. This solvent is used in the application of industrial solvents for adhesives, paints, printing inks, extraction processes, decreasing insecticides, etc.
Carbonyls Solvents- Carbonyls solvent includes esters and they are said to exhibit polar properties. These solvents are widely used in nail paint removers, electronic cleaners, circuit boards, decaffeination, glues, and also in food flavoring substances.
Properties of Organic Solvents
Organic solvents consist of different physical and chemical properties some of them are listed below
Organic Solvents are Volatile in Nature- Volatile solvents are solvents that have vaporizing abilities. Due to the volatile nature, a smell is released into the air due to organic solvents.
Organic Solvents Exhibit a Low Boiling Point- Organic solvents have very low boiling points. Since they have a low boiling point, they are highly volatile in nature.
Organic Solvents are Colorless Liquids- These solvents are colorless, transparent liquids that have lower molecular weights.
Applications of Organic Solvents
Organic solvents are highly useful in various fields. They are used in coatings, polishes, as a paint thinner and remover, as cleaning agents, as a nail polish remover such as acetone, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, detergents, perfumes, spot removers, and also used in various chemical syntheses and processes, etc.
FAQs on Organic Solvent
1. What exactly is an organic solvent?
An organic solvent is a chemical compound that is primarily based on carbon and hydrogen atoms. Its main job is to dissolve other substances to create a solution. Think of it as a liquid that can break down materials like grease, paint, or glue. Acetone, used in nail polish remover, is a classic example.
2. What are some common examples of organic solvents?
You can find many organic solvents in both labs and everyday products. Some of the most common ones include:
- Ethanol: Found in perfumes and sanitisers.
- Acetone: Used in nail polish removers and paint thinners.
- Toluene: Often used in paints and glues.
- Hexane: Used for extracting oils from seeds.
3. What are the key properties of most organic solvents?
Organic solvents share a few common characteristics:
- Volatility: They evaporate easily into the air, which is why you can often smell them.
- Low Boiling Point: Because they are volatile, they don't need much heat to boil.
- Clarity: Most are clear, transparent liquids.
- Solubility: They are excellent at dissolving non-polar substances like oils and fats.
4. How are organic solvents used in our daily lives?
Organic solvents are essential components in many products we use regularly. For example, they are used as the base in paints and varnishes to keep the pigments dissolved, in perfumes to carry the fragrance, and as active ingredients in cleaning agents to remove tough grease and stains.
5. What is the main difference between organic and inorganic solvents?
The key difference lies in their chemical structure. Organic solvents are carbon-based compounds, meaning they always contain carbon atoms (usually bonded to hydrogen). In contrast, inorganic solvents do not contain carbon. The most famous inorganic solvent is water (H₂O).
6. If water is the 'universal solvent', why isn't it considered an organic solvent?
This is a great question that points to the specific meaning of 'organic' in chemistry. The term organic refers to molecules containing carbon-hydrogen bonds. Water's chemical formula is H₂O; it contains hydrogen and oxygen, but no carbon. Therefore, despite its incredible ability to dissolve many things, it is classified as an inorganic solvent.
7. How does the polarity of an organic solvent determine what it can dissolve?
This is based on a fundamental chemistry principle: "like dissolves like."
- Polar organic solvents, like ethanol, have an uneven distribution of electrical charge. They are good at dissolving other polar substances.
- Non-polar organic solvents, like hexane, have an even charge distribution. They excel at dissolving non-polar substances such as oils, fats, and grease.
This property is why we use different solvents for different cleaning jobs.
8. Why are many organic solvents considered hazardous?
Many organic solvents are considered hazardous because they are often volatile and flammable. This means they can easily evaporate to form vapours that can be harmful if inhaled and may catch fire easily. Direct contact with skin can also cause irritation. That's why it's important to use them in well-ventilated areas and follow safety precautions.
