Acetone vs. Ethanol — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Acetone is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid ketone, commonly used as a solvent. Ethanol is a colorless, flammable liquid alcohol, widely used as a fuel and in alcoholic beverages.
Difference Between Acetone and Ethanol
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Acetone is a solvent that is effective in dissolving plastics, synthetic fibers, and other polymers, making it a staple in industrial and laboratory settings for cleaning and degreasing. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is a solvent as well but is more widely recognized for its role in beverages and as a biofuel.
Ethanol is produced through fermentation of sugars by yeasts, which is a biological process. In contrast, acetone is typically produced through chemical processes, like the dehydrogenation of isopropanol. This difference in production reflects their varied applications and significance in different industries.
Acetone has a distinctive, somewhat harsh, sweetish smell, and is used in nail polish removers and as a paint thinner. Ethanol, on the other hand, is known for its intoxicating effects when consumed in alcoholic beverages and has a burning taste.
In a safety context, both acetone and ethanol are flammable, but acetone's lower flash point makes it more volatile and thus a greater fire risk. Ethanol is also used in medical environments as an antiseptic due to its disinfectant properties, while acetone's use in this area is limited.
Comparison Chart
Chemical Structure
Simplest ketone, with a carbonyl group
Simple alcohol with a hydroxyl group
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Common Uses
Solvent, nail polish remover
Fuel, beverages, antiseptic
Production Method
Chemical process (dehydrogenation of isopropanol)
Biological process (fermentation of sugars)
Flammability
Highly flammable with a low flash point
Flammable with a higher flash point than acetone
Smell
Harsh, sweetish smell
Mild, burning taste
Compare with Definitions
Acetone
Primary ingredient in nail polish remover
She used acetone to remove her nail polish.
Ethanol
A colorless liquid alcohol
Ethanol is the intoxicating agent in alcoholic drinks.
Acetone
Produced via the dehydrogenation of isopropanol
Industrial acetone production relies on chemical processes.
Ethanol
Has a lower toxicity level
Ethanol is less toxic than other alcohols, making it safe for consumption in beverages.
Acetone
Solvent for plastics and synthetic fibers
Manufacturers use acetone to dissolve plastic components.
Ethanol
Commonly used as a biofuel
Many cars run on ethanol-blended gasoline.
Acetone
A volatile, flammable liquid ketone
Acetone is often used to clean laboratory equipment.
Ethanol
Produced by fermenting sugars
Ethanol is created when yeast ferments sugar in the absence of oxygen.
Acetone
Used in the beauty industry
Acetone is commonly found in cosmetic products for cleaning.
Ethanol
Antiseptic in medical settings
Ethanol is used to sterilize medical instruments.
Acetone
Acetone, or propanone, is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2CO. It is the simplest and smallest ketone. It is a colourless, highly volatile and flammable liquid with a characteristic pungent odour.
Ethanol
Ethanol (also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol) is an organic chemical compound. It is a simple alcohol with the chemical formula C2H6O. Its formula can be also written as CH3−CH2−OH or C2H5OH (an ethyl group linked to a hydroxyl group), and is often abbreviated as EtOH. Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a slight characteristic odor.
Acetone
A colorless, volatile, extremely flammable liquid ketone, C3H6O, widely used as an organic solvent. It is one of the ketone bodies that accumulate in the blood and urine when fat is being metabolized.
Ethanol
See alcohol.
Acetone
(organic compound) A colourless, volatile, flammable liquid ketone, (CH3)2CO, used as a solvent.
Ethanol
(organic compound) A simple aliphatic alcohol formally derived from ethane by replacing one hydrogen atom with a hydroxyl group: CH3-CH2-OH.
Acetone
A volatile liquid consisting of three parts of carbon, six of hydrogen, and one of oxygen; pyroacetic spirit, - obtained by the distillation of certain acetates, or by the destructive distillation of citric acid, starch, sugar, or gum, with quicklime.
Ethanol
Specifically, this alcohol as a fuel.
Acetone
The simplest ketone; a highly inflammable liquid widely used as an organic solvent and as material for making plastics
Ethanol
The organic compound C2H5.OH, the common alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in beer, wine, and other fermented and distilled liquors; called also ethyl alcohol. It is used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions, or mixed in gasoline as a fuel for automobiles, and as a rocket fuel (as in the V-2 rocket).
Ethanol
The intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors; used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions and rocket fuel; proposed as a renewable clean-burning additive to gasoline
Common Curiosities
Is ethanol used in fuel?
Yes, ethanol is commonly used as a biofuel and is blended with gasoline.
Does acetone have a strong odor?
Acetone has a distinctive, sweetish odor that can be considered strong.
What is acetone commonly used for?
Acetone is commonly used as a solvent and in nail polish removers.
Is ethanol safe to consume?
Ethanol is safe to consume in the form used in alcoholic beverages, not in its industrial form.
Is acetone produced by fermentation?
No, acetone is typically produced through chemical processes like dehydrogenation.
What is the difference in the smell between acetone and ethanol?
Acetone has a harsh, sweetish smell, while ethanol has a mild, burning taste.
Is it safe to use acetone on skin?
Acetone can be irritating to the skin and should be used with care.
Are both acetone and ethanol flammable?
Yes, both are flammable, but acetone has a lower flash point and is more volatile.
Can ethanol be used as a solvent?
Yes, ethanol is an effective solvent for many substances.
Can acetone dissolve plastics?
Yes, acetone can dissolve many plastics and synthetic fibers.
Can both acetone and ethanol be used for cleaning?
Yes, they are both used as cleaning agents, but for different substances.
Is ethanol found in medical supplies?
Ethanol is used in medical supplies as an antiseptic.
How are acetone and ethanol stored?
They should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources.
Can acetone and ethanol be mixed together?
They can be mixed, but this should be done with caution due to increased flammability.
What industries use acetone?
Acetone is used in the beauty, laboratory, and manufacturing industries.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
