Solvents

Solvents are substances that have the ability to dissolve other substances (solutes), creating a solution. Solvents can be solid, liquid, or gas. The most common solvent in everyday life is water. Other solvents include ethyl alcohol, acetone, ether, and chloroform.

Types of Solvents[edit | edit source]

Solvents can be broadly classified into two categories: polar solvents and non-polar solvents.

Polar Solvents[edit | edit source]

Polar solvents have a net dipole due to the presence of polar bonds. Examples of polar solvents include water, ethanol, and acetic acid.

Non-Polar Solvents[edit | edit source]

Non-polar solvents do not have a net dipole. Examples of non-polar solvents include hexane, benzene, and carbon tetrachloride.

Uses of Solvents[edit | edit source]

Solvents are used in a variety of applications, including in paints, adhesives, cleaning agents, and in pharmaceuticals.

In Paints[edit | edit source]

Solvents are used in paints to dissolve the pigment and to change the viscosity of the paint for application.

In Adhesives[edit | edit source]

In adhesives, solvents are used to dissolve the adhesive resin to create a solution that can be applied.

In Cleaning Agents[edit | edit source]

Solvents are used in cleaning agents to dissolve dirt and grease.

In Pharmaceuticals[edit | edit source]

In pharmaceuticals, solvents are used to dissolve medicinal compounds to create a solution or suspension.

Health Effects[edit | edit source]

Exposure to solvents can have various health effects, depending on the type of solvent and the level of exposure. These can range from skin and eye irritation to more serious effects such as neurological damage and cancer.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Solvents Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.