Solvent

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Solvent

A solvent is a liquid or gas that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solutionSolution

In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of one or more substances, known as solutes, dissolved i...
.

The most common solvent in everyday life is waterWater Summary

Water is a tasteless, odorless substance that is essential to all known forms of life and is known as the universal solve...
. Most other commonly-used solvents are organicOrganic chemistry

Organic chemistry is a specific discipline within the subject of chemistry....
chemicals. These are called organic solvents. Solvents usually have a low boiling pointBoiling point

The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it can change its state from a liquid to a gas throughout the b...
and evaporate easily or can be removed by distillationDistillation

Distillation is a method of separation of substances based on differences in their volatilities....
, leaving the dissolved substance behind. To distinguish between solutes and solvents, solvents are usually present in the greater amount. Solvents can also be used to extract soluble compounds from a mixture, the most common example is the brewing of coffeeCoffee

Coffee is a popular beverage prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant....
or teaTea

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world ....
with hot water. Solvents are usually clear and colorless liquids and many have a characteristic odorOdor

An odor or odour is the object of perception of the sense of olfaction....
. The concentrationConcentration

In chemistry, concentration is the measure of how much of a given substance there is mixed with another substance....
of a solution is the amount of compound that is dissolved in a certain volume of solvent. The solubilityFacts About Solubility

Solubility is the amount of a solute that will dissolve in a specific solvent under given conditions....
is the maximal amount of compound that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperatureTemperature

In thermodynamics, temperature is a measure of the tendency of an object or system to spontaneously give up energy....
. 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, in spot removers (e.g. hexaneHexane

Hexane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH34CH3....
, petrol ether), in detergents, in perfumes, and in chemical syntheses. The use of inorganic solvents (other than water) is typically limited to research chemistry and some technological processes.

Solutions and solvation

When one substance is disolved into another, a solution is formed. This is opposed to a mixtureMixture

In chemistry, a mixture is the product of a mechanical blending or mixing of chemical substances like elements and compounds...
where one compound is added to another and no chemical bondChemical bond

A chemical bond is the physical phenomenon of chemical species being held together by attraction of atoms to each other thro...
is formed; a way to think of mixtures and solutions is to compare a cup of water with sand mixed in versus a sodaSoda Overview

Soda may mean:*A chemical compound containing sodium...
where all of the ingredients are uniform to create a new substance. No residue is left in the bottom. The mixing is referred to as miscibilityMiscibility

Miscibility is a term in chemistry that refers to the property of liquids to mix in all proportions, forming a homogeneous s...
, whereas the ability to disolve one compound into another is known as solubilitySolubility

Solubility is the amount of a solute that will dissolve in a specific solvent under given conditions....
. However, in addition to mixing, both substances in the solution can interact with each other in specific ways. Solvation describes these interactions. When something is dissolved, molecules of the solvent arrange itself around molecules of the solute. HeatHeat

In physics, heat, symbolized by Q, is defined as energy in transit....
is evolved and entropyEntropy

In thermodynamics, entropy, symbolized by S, is a state function of a thermodynamic system defined by the differential q...
is decreased making the solution more thermodynamically stable than the solute alone. This arranging is mediated by the respective chemical properties of the solvent and solute, such as hydrogen bonding, dipole momentDipole moment

Dipole moment refers to the quality of a system to behave like a dipole....
and polarizabilityPolarizability

Polarizability is the relative tendency of the electron cloud of an atom to be distorted from its normal shape by the presen...
.

Solvent classifications

Solvents can be broadly classified into two categories: polar and non-polar. Generally, the dielectric constantFacts About Dielectric constant

The relative dielectric constant of a material under given conditions is a measure of the extent to which it concentrates el...
of the solvent provides a rough measure of a solvent's polarity. Solvents with a dielectric constant of less than 15 are generally considered nonpolar. Technically, the dielectric constant measures the solvent's ability to reduce the field strength of the electric field surrounding a charged particle immersed in it. This reduction is then compared to the field strength of the charged particle in a vacuum. In laymen's terms, dielectric constant of a solvent can be thought of as its ability to reduce the solute's internal charge.

Other polarity scales

Dielectric constants are not the only measure of polarity. Because solvents are used by chemists to carry out chemical reactions or observe chemical and biological phenomena, more specific measures of polarity are required.

The Grunwald Winstein mY scale measures polarity in terms of solvent influence on buildup of positive charge of a solute during a chemical reaction.

Kosower's Z scale measures polarity in terms of the influence of the solvent on uvUltraviolet

Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than soft X...
absorption maxima of a salt, usually pyridiniumPyridinium

Pyridinium refers to the cationic form of pyridine....
iodideIodide

An iodide ion is an iodine atom with a −1 charge....
or the pyridinium zwitterionZwitterion

A zwitterion is a compound with acidic and basic groups in the same molecule....
.

Donor number and donar acceptor scale measures polarity in terms of how a solvent interacts with specific substances, like a strong Lewis acidLewis acid

In chemistry, a Lewis acid can accept a pair of electrons and form a coordinate covalent bond, named after the American chem...
or a strong Lewis base.

The polarity, dipole moment, polarizability and hydrogen bonding of a solvent determines what type of compoundsChemical compound

A chemical compound is a chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemically bonded chemical elements, with a ...
it is able to dissolve and with what other solvents or liquid compounds it is miscibleMiscible

The chemistry term miscible refers to the property of various substances, particularly liquids, that allows them to be m...
. As a rule of thumb, polar solvents dissolve polar compounds best and non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar compounds best: "like dissolves like". Strongly polar compounds like sugars (e.g. sucrose) or ionic compounds, like inorganicInorganic chemistry

Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and behavior of inorganic compounds....
saltFacts About Salt

In chemistry, a salt is any ionic compound composed of cations and anions so that the product is neutral ....
s (e.g. table salt) dissolve only in very polar solvents like water, while strongly non-polar compounds like oilFacts About Oil

Oil, in a general sense, is a chemical compound that is not miscible with water, and is in a liquid state at ambient tempera...
s or waxWax

Wax has traditionally referred to a substance that is secreted by bees and used by them in constructing their honeycombs....
es dissolve only in very non-polar organic solvents like hexaneHexane

Hexane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH34CH3....
. Similarly, water and hexaneHexane

Hexane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH34CH3....
(or vinegarVinegar

Vinegar is a sour-tasting liquid made from the oxidation of ethanol in wine, cider, beer, fermented fruit juice, or nearly a...
and vegetable oil) are not miscibleMiscible

The chemistry term miscible refers to the property of various substances, particularly liquids, that allows them to be m...
with each other and will quickly separate into two layers even after being shaken well.

Polar protic and polar a-protic

Solvents with a relative static permittivity greater than 15 can be further divided into protic and aprotic. Protic solvents solvate anions (negatively charged solutes) strongly via hydrogen bonding. Water is a protic solvent. Aprotic solvents such as acetoneAcetone

In chemistry, acetone is the simplest representative of the ketones....
or dichloromethaneDichloromethane

Dichloromethane or methylene chloride is the chemical compound with the formula CH2Cl2....
tend to have large dipole momentDipole moment

Dipole moment refers to the quality of a system to behave like a dipole....
s (separation of partial positive and partial negative charges within the same molecule) and solvate positively charged species via their negative dipole. In chemical reactionChemical reaction

A chemical reaction is a process that results in the interconversion of chemical substances ....
s the use of polar protic solvents favors the S_N1SN1 reaction

The SN1 reaction is a substitution reaction in organic chemistry....
reaction mechanismReaction mechanism Overview

In chemistry, a reaction mechanism is the step by step sequence of elementary reactions by which overall chemical change occ...
, while polar aprotic solvents favor the S_N2SN2 reaction

The SN2 reaction is a type of nucleophilic substitution, where a nucleophile attacks an electrophilic center and bonds to it...
reaction mechanism.

Solvent effects

Boiling point

Another important property of solvents is boiling point. This also determines the speed of evaporation. Small amounts of low-boiling solvents like diethyl etherDiethyl ether Overview

Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a ...
, dichloromethaneDichloromethane

Dichloromethane or methylene chloride is the chemical compound with the formula CH2Cl2....
, or acetone will evaporate in seconds at room temperature, while high-boiling solvents like water or dimethyl sulfoxideDimethyl sulfoxide

Dimethyl sulfoxide|doi=10.2174/092986706775197917}}....
need higher temperatures, an air flow, or the application of vacuumVacuum

A vacuum is a volume of space that is substansively empty of matter, so that gaseous pressure is much less than standard atm...
for fast evaporation.

Low Boilers: Boiling ranges below 100 °C
Medium Boilers: Boiling ranges between 100 °C and 150 °C
High Boilers: Boiling ranges above 150 °C

For comparison, the boiling point of water is 100 °C.

Density

Most organic solvents have a lower densityDensity

Density is a measure of mass per unit of volume....
than water, which means they are lighter and will form a separate layer on top of water. An important exception: many halogenHalogen

The halogens are a chemical series....
ated solvents like dichloromethaneDichloromethane

Dichloromethane or methylene chloride is the chemical compound with the formula CH2Cl2....
or chloroformChloroform

Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane and methyl trichloride, is a chemical compound with formula CHCl3....
will sink to the bottom of a container, leaving water as the top layer. This is important to remember when partitioningPartition coefficient

A partition coefficient is a measure of differential solubility of a compound in two solvents....
compounds between solvents and water in a separatory funnelSeparatory funnel Summary

A separatory funnel or separation funnel or separating funnel is a piece of laboratory glassware used to partiti...
during chemical syntheses.

Health and safety

Fire

Most organic solvents are flammable or highly flammable, depending on their volatility. Exceptions are some chlorinated solvents like dichloromethaneDichloromethane Summary

Dichloromethane or methylene chloride is the chemical compound with the formula CH2Cl2....
and chloroformChloroform

Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane and methyl trichloride, is a chemical compound with formula CHCl3....
. Mixtures of solvent vapors and air can explodeExplosion

An explosion is a sudden increase in volume and release of energy in a violent manner, usually with the generation of high t...
. Solvent vapors are heavier than air, they will sink to the bottom and can travel large distances nearly undiluted. Solvent vapors can also be found in supposedly empty drums and cans, posing a flash fireFlash fire Summary

A flash fire is an unexpected, sudden intense fire caused by ignition of flammable solids, liquids or their vapors, gases, o...
hazard; hence empty containers of volatile solvents should be stored open and upside down.

Both diethyl etherDiethyl ether

Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a ...
and carbon disulfideCarbon disulfide

Carbon disulfide is a colorless liquid with the formula CS2....
have exceptionally low autoignition temperatureAutoignition temperature

The autoignition temperature, or the ignition temperature of a substance is the lowest temperature at which a chemical will ...
s which increase greatly the fire risk associated with these solvents. The autoignition temperature of carbon disulfide is below 100°C (212°F), so as a result objects such as steamSteam

In physical chemistry, and in engineering, steam refers to vaporized water....
pipes, light bulbs, hotplates and recently extinguished bunsen burnerBunsen burner

A Bunsen burner is a common piece of laboratory equipment used for heating, sterilization, and combustion....
s are able to ignite its vapours.

Peroxide formation

EtherEther

Ether is the general name for a class of chemical compounds which contain an ether group an oxygen atom connected to two a...
s like diethyl etherDiethyl ether

Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a ...
and tetrahydrofuranTetrahydrofuran

Tetrahydrofuran is a heterocyclic organic compound....
(THF) can form highly explosive organic peroxideOrganic peroxide

Organic peroxides are organic molecules containing the peroxide functional group...
s upon exposure to oxygen and light, THF is normally more able to form such peroxidePeroxide

Peroxide has three distinct meanings:...
s than diethyl ether. One of the most susceptible solvents is diisopropyl etherDiisopropyl ether

Diisopropyl ether is secondary ether that is used as a solvent....
.

The heteroatom stabilizes the formation of a free radical which is formed by the abstraction of a hydrogenHydrogen

|-| Triple point || 13.8033 K, 7.042 kPa...
atom by another free radical. The carbon centred free radical thus formed is able to react with an oxygen molecule to form a peroxide compound. A range of tests can be used to detect the presence of a peroxide in an ether, one is to use a combination of iron sulfateIron sulfate

Iron sulfate may refer to:*Ferrous sulfate , FeSO4...
and potassium thiocyanatePotassium thiocyanate

See: ThiocyanatePotassium thiocyanate is the chemical compound KSCN....
. The peroxide is able to oxidize the Fe²⁺ ion to an Fe³⁺ ion which then form a deep red coordination complex with the thiocyanateThiocyanate

Thiocyanate is both an anion, [SCN]-, and, in organic chemistry, a functional group, RSCN....
. In extreme cases the peroxides can form crystalline solids within the vessel of the ether.

Unless the desiccantDesiccant

A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness in its local vicinity in a moderately-well sea...
used can destroy the peroxides, they will concentrate during distillation due to their higher boiling pointBoiling point

The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it can change its state from a liquid to a gas throughout the b...
. When sufficient peroxides have formed, they can form a crystalline and shock sensitive solid precipitate. When this solid is formed at the mouth of the bottle, turning the cap may provide sufficient energy for the peroxide to detonate. Peroxide formation is not a significant problem when solvents are used up quickly; they are more of a problem for laboratories which take years to finish a single bottle. Ethers have to be stored in the dark in closed canisters in the presence of stabilizers like butylated hydroxytolueneButylated hydroxytoluene

Butylated hydroxytoluene is a fat-soluble organic compound primarily used as an antioxidant food additive....
(BHT) or over sodium hydroxideSodium hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide , also known as lye or caustic soda, is a caustic metallic base....
.

Peroxides may be removed by washing with acidic iron(II) sulfate, filtering through alumina, or distillingDistillation

Distillation is a method of separation of substances based on differences in their volatilities....
from sodiumSodium

Sodium is a chemical element which has the symbol Na , atomic number 11, atomic mass 22.9898 g/mol, oxidation number +1....
/benzophenoneBenzophenone

Benzophenone is the organic compound with the formula2CO, generally abbreviated Ph2CO....
. Alumina does not destroy the peroxides; it merely traps them. The advantage of using sodium/benzophenone is that moistureFacts About Moisture

Moisture generally refers to the presence of water, often in trace amounts....
and oxygenOxygen

Oxygen is a chemical element with the chemical symbol O and atomic number 8....
is removed as well.

Health effects

Many solvents can lead to a sudden loss of consciousness if inhaledInhalation

Inhalation is the movement of air from the external environment, through the airways, into the alveoli during breathing....
in large amounts. Solvents like diethyl etherDiethyl ether

Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a ...
and chloroformChloroform

Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane and methyl trichloride, is a chemical compound with formula CHCl3....
have been used in medicine as anesthetics, sedatives, and hypnotics for a long time. EthanolFacts About Ethanol

This article is about the chemical compound....
is a widely used and abused psychoactive drugPsychoactive drug

A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous sys...
. Diethyl ether, chloroform, and many other solvents (e.g. from gasolineGasoline

Gasoline, also called petrol, is a petroleum-derived liquid mixture consisting primarily of hydrocarbons and enhanced ...
or glues) are used recreationally in glue sniffing, often with harmful long term health effects like neurotoxicityNeurotoxicity

Neurotoxicity occurs when the exposure to natural or manmade toxic substances alters the normal activity of the nervous syst...
or cancerCancer

Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to...
. MethanolFacts About Methanol

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3OH....
can cause internal damage to the eyeEye

An eye is an organ of vision that detects light....
s, including permanent blindness.

It is interesting to note that ethanol has a synergistic effect when taken in combination with many solvents. For instance a combination of tolueneToluene

Toluene, also known as methylbenzene or phenylmethane is a clear, water-insoluble liquid with the typical smell ...
/benzeneBenzene

Benzene, also known as benzol, is an organic chemical compound with the formula C6H6....
and ethanol causes greater nauseaNausea

Nausea is the sensation of unease and discomfort in the stomach with an urge to vomit. ...
/vomitingVomiting

Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth....
than either substance alone. Many chemists make a point of not drinking beerBeer

Beer is one of the world's oldest alcoholic beverages, possibly brewed for the first time over 10,000 years ago, according t...
/wineWine

Wine is an alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of the juice of fruits, usually grapes....
/other alcoholic drinks if they know that they have been exposed to an aromatic solvent.

Environmental contamination

A major pathway to induce health effects arises from spills or leaks of solvents that reach the underlying soil. Since solvents readily migrate substantial distances, the creation of widespread soil contaminationSoil contamination

Soil contamination is the presence of man made chemicals or other alteration to the natural soil environment....
is not uncommon; there may be about 5000 sites worldwide that have major subsurface solvent contamination; this is particularly a health risk if aquiferAquifer

An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials from which groundwater can ...
s are affected.

Chronic health effects

Some solvents including chloroform and benzeneBenzene

Benzene, also known as benzol, is an organic chemical compound with the formula C6H6....
(an ingredient of gasolineGasoline Summary

Gasoline, also called petrol, is a petroleum-derived liquid mixture consisting primarily of hydrocarbons and enhanced ...
) are carcinogenCarcinogen

In pathology, a carcinogen is any substance or agent that promotes cancer....
ic. Many others can damage internal organs like the liverLiver

The liver is an organ in vertebrates, including humans....
, the kidneys, or the brainBrain Overview

In animals, the brain, or encephalon , is the control center of the central nervous system....
.

General precautions

Avoiding being exposed to solvent vapors by working in a fume hoodFume hood

A fume hood or fume cupboard is a large piece of scientific equipment common to chemistry laboratories designed to lim...
, or with local exhaust ventilation (LEV), or in a well ventilated area
Keeping the storage containers tightly closed
Never using open flames near flammable solvents, use electrical heating instead
Never flush flammable solvents down the drain, read safety data sheets for proper disposal information
Avoiding the inhalation of solvent vapors
Avoiding contact of the solvent with the skin — many solvents are easily absorbed through the skin. They also tend to dry the skin and may cause sores and wounds.

Properties table of common solvents

The solvents are grouped into non-polar, polar aprotic, and polar protic solvents and ordered by increasing polarity. The polarity is given as the dielectric constantDielectric constant

The relative dielectric constant of a material under given conditions is a measure of the extent to which it concentrates el...
. The densityDensity

Density is a measure of mass per unit of volume....
of nonpolar solvents that are heavier than water is bolded.
align="center" | Solvent
! align="center" | Chemical FormulaChemical formula

A chemical formula is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compoun...

! align="center" | Boiling pointBoiling point

The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it can change its state from a liquid to a gas throughout the b...

! align="center" | Dielectric constantDielectric constant

The relative dielectric constant of a material under given conditions is a measure of the extent to which it concentrates el...

! align="center" | DensityDensity

Density is a measure of mass per unit of volume....

|- bgcolor="#DDDDDD"
| align="center" colspan="5" | Non-Polar Solvents
|- bgcolor="#DDDDDD"
| align="center" | HexaneHexane

Hexane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH34CH3....

| align="center" | CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃
| align="center" | 69 °C
| align="center" | 2.0
| align="center" | 0.655 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#DDDDDD"
| align="center" | BenzeneBenzene

Benzene, also known as benzol, is an organic chemical compound with the formula C6H6....

| align="center" | C₆H₆
| align="center" | 80 °C
| align="center" | 2.3
| align="center" | 0.879 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#DDDDDD"
| align="center" | TolueneToluene

Toluene, also known as methylbenzene or phenylmethane is a clear, water-insoluble liquid with the typical smell ...

| align="center" | C₆H₅-CH₃
| align="center" | 111 °C
| align="center" | 2.4
| align="center" | 0.867 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#DDDDDD"
| align="center" | Diethyl etherDiethyl ether

Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a ...

| align="center" | CH₃CH₂-O-CH₂-CH₃
| align="center" | 35 °C
| align="center" | 4.3
| align="center" | 0.713 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#DDDDDD"
| align="center" | ChloroformChloroform

Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane and methyl trichloride, is a chemical compound with formula CHCl3....

| align="center" | CHCl₃
| align="center" | 61 °C
| align="center" | 4.8
| align="center" | 1.498 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#DDDDDD"
| align="center" | Ethyl acetateEthyl acetate

Ethyl acetate is the organic compound with the formula CH3CH2OCCH3....

| align="center" | CH₃-C(=O)-O-CH₂-CH₃
| align="center" | 77 °C
| align="center" | 6.0
| align="center" | 0.894 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCFF"
| align="center" colspan="5" | Polar Aprotic Solvents
|- bgcolor="#FFCCFF"
| align="center" | 1,4-Dioxane1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane, often just called dioxane, is a clear, colorless heterocyclic organic compound which is a liquid at room ...

| align="center" | /-CH₂-CH₂-O-CH₂-CH₂-O-\
| align="center" | 101 °C
| align="center" | 2.3
| align="center" | 1.033 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCFF"
| align="center" | TetrahydrofuranTetrahydrofuran

Tetrahydrofuran is a heterocyclic organic compound....
(THF)
| align="center" | /-CH₂-CH₂-O-CH₂-CH₂-\
| align="center" | 66 °C
| align="center" | 7.5
| align="center" | 0.886 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCFF"
| align="center" | DichloromethaneDichloromethane

Dichloromethane or methylene chloride is the chemical compound with the formula CH2Cl2....
(DCM)
| align="center" | CH₂Cl₂
| align="center" | 40 °C
| align="center" | 9.1
| align="center" | 1.326 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCFF"
| align="center" | AcetoneAcetone

In chemistry, acetone is the simplest representative of the ketones....

| align="center" | CH₃-C(=O)-CH₃
| align="center" | 56 °C
| align="center" | 21
| align="center" | 0.786 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCFF"
| align="center" | AcetonitrileAcetonitrile

Acetonitrile is the chemical compound with formula of CH3CN....
(MeCN)
| align="center" | CH₃-C=N
| align="center" | 82 °C
| align="center" | 37
| align="center" | 0.786 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCFF"
| align="center" | DimethylformamideDimethylformamide

Dimethylformamide is a clear liquid, miscible with water and majority of organic solvents....
(DMF)
| align="center" | H-C(=O)N(CH₃)₂
| align="center" | 153 °C
| align="center" | 38
| align="center" | 0.944 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCFF"
| align="center" | Dimethyl sulfoxideDimethyl sulfoxide

Dimethyl sulfoxide|doi=10.2174/092986706775197917}}....
(DMSO)
| align="center" | CH₃-S(=O)-CH₃
| align="center" | 189 °C
| align="center" | 47
| align="center" | 1.092 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" colspan="5" | Polar Protic Solvents
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" | Acetic acidAcetic acid

Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound best recognized for giving vinegar its sour ...

| align="center" | CH₃-C(=O)OH
| align="center" | 118 °C
| align="center" | 6.2
| align="center" | 1.049 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" | n-ButanolButanol

Butanol or butyl alcohol , is an alcohol with a 4 carbon structure and the molecular formula of C4H10O....

| align="center" | CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-OH
| align="center" | 118 °C
| align="center" | 18
| align="center" | 0.810 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" | Isopropanol (IPA)
| align="center" | CH₃-CH(-OH)-CH₃
| align="center" | 82 °C
| align="center" | 18
| align="center" | 0.785 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" | n-Propanol
| align="center" | CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-OH
| align="center" | 97 °C
| align="center" | 20
| align="center" | 0.803 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" | EthanolEthanol Overview

This article is about the chemical compound....

| align="center" | CH₃-CH₂-OH
| align="center" | 79 °C
| align="center" | 24
| align="center" | 0.789 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" | MethanolMethanol

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3OH....

| align="center" | CH₃-OH
| align="center" | 65 °C
| align="center" | 33
| align="center" | 0.791 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" | Formic acidFacts About Formic acid

Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid....

| align="center" | H-C(=O)OH
| align="center" | 100 °C
| align="center" | 58
| align="center" | 1.21 g/ml
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| align="center" | WaterWater (molecule)

Water is the most abundant molecule on Earth, composing 70-75% of the Earth's surface as liquid and solid state in addition ...

| align="center" | H-O-H
| align="center" | 100 °C
| align="center" | 80
| align="center" | 1.000 g/ml

External links

Properties of common organic solvents
O-Chem Lecture
Properties and toxicities of organic solvents

Solvent

Solutions and solvation

Solvent classifications

Other polarity scales

Polar protic and polar a-protic

Solvent effects

Boiling point

Density

Health and safety

Fire

Peroxide formation

Health effects

Environmental contamination

Chronic health effects

General precautions

Properties table of common solvents

See also

External links