Solvent

Solvent

A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute (a chemically distinct liquid, solid or gas), resulting in a solution. A solvent is usually a liquid but can also be a solid, a gas, or a supercritical fluid. The quantity of solute that can dissolve in a specific volume of solvent varies with temperature. Common uses for organic solvents are in dry cleaning (e.g., tetrachloroethylene), as paint thinners (e.g., toluene, turpentine), as nail polish removers and glue solvents (acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate), in spot removers (e.g., hexane, petrol ether), in detergents (citrus terpenes), in perfumes (ethanol), and in chemical syntheses. The use of inorganic solvents (other than water) is typically limited to research chemistry and some technological processes.

Types of Solvents

Solvents can be broadly classified into two categories: polar and non-polar. A special case is mercury, whose solutions are known as amalgams; also, other metals can be used as solvent in alchemy.

Polar Solvents

In general, polar solvents dissolve polar solvents and non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solvents. Polar solvents, like water, have molecules whose electric charges are unevenly distributed, leaving one end of each molecule positively charged and the other end negatively charged.

Non-Polar Solvents

Non-polar solvents, like oil, have molecules whose electric charges are evenly distributed and are not very reactive. They can dissolve non-polar compounds such as fats and oils, as well as other non-polar solvents.

Health and Safety

Solvents can have health effects and are often subject to health and safety regulations. Some solvents including chloroform and benzene (an ingredient of gasoline) are carcinogenic. Others can damage internal organs like the liver, kidneys, or brain.

Environmental Impact

Many solvents contribute to smog and other forms of air pollution. Some solvents can also contaminate water supplies if not properly disposed of.

See Also

• Solute
• Solution
• Polarity (chemistry)
• Dry cleaning
• Paint thinner
• Nail polish remover
• Glue solvent
• Spot remover
• Detergent
• Perfume
• Chemical synthesis
• Mercury (element)
• Amalgam (chemistry)
• Metal
• Alchemy
• Water
• Oil
• Chloroform
• Benzene
• Smog
• Air pollution
• Water pollution

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