Difference Between Acetone and Bleach (With Table)

Chemicals are commonly used in laboratories and households for cleansing with a pungent odour. Acetone and Bleach are two examples of such types of chemicals used for cleansing purposes. When Acetone and Bleach mix, they become dangerous chemicals that cause organ damage.

Acetone vs Bleach

The main difference between Acetone and Bleach is that Acetone is an organic compound discovered in 1832 by great chemists Dumas and Liebig. Acetone has the chemical formula (CH3)2CO. On the other hand, Bleach is an inorganic compound discovered in 1785 by great chemist Bartholet. Bleach has the chemical formula NaOCl.

Acetone is flammable (which means it will ignite when it comes in contact with an ignition source) in nature. It is used in nail polish, paint remover, and varnish thinner. Acetone is a good solvent and can be bought at an affordable price.

Bleach is inflammable (which means it will not ignite when it comes in contact with an ignition source) in nature. Bleaches are used in whitening fabrics and removing stains for our clothes. Bleach is not a good solvent like acetone and can be brought at a less affordable price.

Comparison Table Between Acetone and Bleach

What is Acetone?

Acetone is an organic compound (a chemical compound that contains bonds of carbon and hydrogen) with a chemical formula of (CH3)2CO. IUPAC name of Acetone is propan-2-one. The other names of acetone are dimethyl ketone and ketone propane. Ketone is the smallest and simplest ketone. Ketone is a colourless, flammable liquid and highly volatile compound with a pungent odour.

Acetone is miscible (it forms a homogenous mixture or solution). It is commonly used in removing paint on walls and nail polish. Acetone is also found in the human body and is produced through the metabolic process. Acetone is found in the urine and blood of the human body. It was first produced in 1606 by Andreas Libavius.

Dumas and Liebig first discovered the empirical formula of Acetone. Ketone is produced in the United States of America, followed by Taiwan and China. The cumene process helps in producing acetone. Earlier, it was produced by the dry distillation process. It irritates living systems. It can be purchasable at an affordable price than other chemicals.

Acetone is a good solvent. It is used as thinner for removing paints and denaturants (chemicals that change the nature of other chemicals).

What is Bleach?

Bleach is an inorganic compound (made without a carbon-hydrogen bond) with a chemical formula of NaOCI66`. IUPAC name of bleach is Sodium Hypochlorite, which contains Na (sodium) cation and Hypochlorite (OCI) anion. That’s why it can be seen as the sodium salt of hypochlorous acid.

It is widely used as a bleaching agent or disinfectant agent in household works, especially removing stains from clothes. It is referred to as antiformmin, a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite and chloride of soda. Bleach is also used in removing colour from fabrics. It also helps in swimming pool sanitation for controlling viruses and bacteria in pool water and bleaching of wood pulp.

Bleach reacts with the colour organic compound as natural pigment and turns into a colourless compound. Most bleaches are oxidizing agents (that remove electrons) and reducing agents (that donate electrons). Bleach affects the lungs, stomach, and oesophagus. Bleach may damage these organs.

Bleaches are inflammable, that’s why they cannot catch fire after coming into contact with an ignition agent, but it is more toxic than other chemicals. Bleach can be purchasable at a less affordable price than other chemicals. Bleach is not much soluble in other compounds.

Main Differences Between Acetone and Bleach

1. Acetone is an Organic Compound (made up of carbon-hydrogen bonds). On the other hand, Bleach is an inorganic Compound (not made up of carbon-hydrogen bonds).
2. Acetone was discovered in 1832 by Dumas and Liebig, whereas bleach was discovered in 1785 by Berthollet.
3. Acetone has a chemical formula of (CH3)2CO (also called propan-2-one), whereas Bleach has the chemical formula of NaOCl. It is also called Sodium hypochlorite or a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite).
4. Acetone is widely used as a paint remover and nail polish remover. On the other hand, Bleach is widely used to remove stains from clothes and remove color from fabrics.
5. Acetone is miscible and soluble, whereas Bleach is not more solvent than acetone.
6. Acetone can be brought at an affordable price. On the other hand, Bleach can be brought at a less affordable price than acetone because of the greater bleach production in the world market.

Conclusion

Acetone and Bleach are widely used for cleaning purposes in household and industrial purposes. However, acetone has the chemical formula (CH3)2CO used in removing paint and nail polish. On the other hand, Bleach is also called a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite having the chemical formula NaOCl. It is used as colour remover in textiles and a stain remover in clothes.

When we mix these two chemicals, it results in a dangerous toxic substance. On the other hand, Bleach is more toxic than acetone because it affects our lungs, stomach, and heart. Acetone and bleach are both available at low prices but are more affordable than acetone because of their larger production in the market.

References

1. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ed066p973
2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/10520298609109944