Acetone vs. Xylene: Difference and Comparison

Acetone and xylene are both organic compounds commonly utilized as solvents, but their molecular structures, applications, and properties are distinct. These differences underscore their varied roles in industrial and domestic contexts.

Acetone, scientifically known as propanone, is the simplest ketone. It is a colorless and volatile liquid and possesses a distinctively sweet smell. Often found in nail polish removers, acetone is also used in the production of plastics and as a laboratory solvent. In contrast, xylene encompasses a group of three aromatic hydrocarbon isomers derived from benzene. It is primarily used as a solvent in the printing, rubber, and leather industries.

In terms of health implications, both acetone and xylene have been studied. While acetone is generally considered to have low toxicity, prolonged exposure can lead to irritation. On the other hand, xylene poses a greater health risk, with exposure potentially causing headaches, dizziness, and even harm to the liver and kidneys.

A noteworthy application of acetone is in the field of cosmetics, particularly in nail care products. Additionally, it's instrumental in chemical synthesis and cleaning processes in laboratories. In contrast, xylene holds prominence in the paint industry, particularly in thinning paints and varnishes.

In essence, while acetone is a versatile solvent known for its presence in cosmetic products, xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon with a significant role in the paint and printing industries.

A colorless volatile liquid ketone.

An aromatic hydrocarbon derived from benzene.

A product of fat metabolism in the body.

A clear, flammable liquid with a sweet smell.

A cleaning agent in laboratories.

Used in histology to process tissue samples.

A solvent in the manufacturing of plastics.

A solvent in the paint and rubber industries.

The simplest example of the ketones.

Consists of three isomers: ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene.

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.

Any of three colorless flammable isomeric benzene derivatives, C8H10, obtained from wood and coal tar.

(organic compound) A colourless, volatile, flammable liquid ketone, (CH₃)₂CO, used as a solvent.

A mixture of xylene isomers used as a solvent in making lacquers and rubber cement and as an aviation fuel.

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.

(chemistry) Any of a group of three isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons, found in coal and wood tar.

the simplest ketone; a highly inflammable liquid widely used as an organic solvent and as material for making plastics

Any of a group of three metameric hydrocarbons of the aromatic series, found in coal and wood tar, and so named because found in crude wood spirit. They are colorless, oily, inflammable liquids, C6H4.(CH3)2, being dimethyl benzenes, and are called respectively orthoxylene, metaxylene, and paraxylene. Called also xylol.

a colorless flammable volatile liquid hydrocarbon used as a solvent

Acetone is often used as a nail polish remover.

While short-term exposure to acetone fumes might cause irritation, prolonged exposure can have more adverse effects.

Xylene is employed to make tissues transparent before embedding them in paraffin.

Certain plastics can be dissolved or softened by acetone.

Yes, xylene can be found in certain permanent markers.

Exposure to xylene can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and, in severe cases, may affect the liver and kidneys.