Acetone
The light ketone supplied by Chelora Chemicals — co-produced with phenol from cumene, and valued both as a universal solvent and as the other half of the Bisphenol-A reaction — exported from Indonesia in drums and ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Acetone is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the simplest dialkyl ketone, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Acetone is the simplest dialkyl ketone, a carbonyl group flanked by two methyl groups. The carbonyl is readily attacked by nucleophiles and the compound is fully miscible with both water and most organic solvents, which together make it one of the most widely used general-purpose solvents in industry and the basis of its main downstream reaction, acid-catalysed condensation with phenol.
At room temperature it is a colourless, highly volatile and flammable liquid with a characteristically sweet odour. It evaporates quickly, is fully miscible with water, and requires standard flammable-liquid storage with good ventilation and ignition-source control, but is otherwise one of the easier solvents in the Chelora range to store and transport.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Acetone's two largest uses are as a general-purpose industrial solvent for coatings, adhesives, cleaning and extraction, and as the condensation partner for phenol in Bisphenol-A manufacture. It is also the feedstock for methyl methacrylate (MMA) via the acetone cyanohydrin route and for methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and a minor feedstock for isopropanol and other specialty solvents.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Acetone in technical/solvent grade (99.5%+ assay) suitable for solvent, Bisphenol-A-precursor and MMA/MIBK-precursor applications, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Acetone is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Acetone is manufactured almost exclusively via the cumene process, as the co-product of phenol: cumene (isopropylbenzene) is air-oxidised to cumene hydroperoxide, which is then cleaved under acid catalysis into phenol and acetone in a fixed mass ratio: C₆H₅CH(CH₃)₂ + O₂ → C₆H₅C(CH₃)₂OOH → (acid cleavage) → C₆H₅OH + (CH₃)₂CO. A smaller share of global acetone also comes as a co-product of propylene oxide manufacture via the chlorohydrin or Oxirane route.
Why the cumene process dominates
Because the cumene process is run overwhelmingly to make phenol, and acetone comes out of the same cleavage step in a fixed ratio, the cumene route also supplies most of the world's acetone as a built-in co-product, rather than acetone needing its own dedicated manufacturing process.
Industries and processes that use it
Acetone is consumed across solvent, engineering-plastics and specialty-monomer manufacture, where its combination of solvency power and reactive carbonyl group is the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Industrial & Laboratory Solvent
Used as a general-purpose solvent for coatings, adhesives, cleaning, degreasing and extraction across chemical, pharmaceutical and electronics manufacturing.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) Manufacture
Condensed with its co-product phenol, under acid catalysis, to make Bisphenol-A, the monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin.
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Precursor
Converted via acetone cyanohydrin into methyl methacrylate, the monomer for acrylic (PMMA) sheet and specialty acrylic resins.
MIBK & Specialty Ketone Solvents
Self-condensed and hydrogenated to methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), a higher-boiling solvent used in coatings and metal-extraction applications.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The reactive carbonyl flanked by two methyl groups governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Acetone is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Acid-Catalysed Condensation (with Phenol)
Condenses with two equivalents of phenol under acid catalysis, with loss of water, to form Bisphenol-A.
Cyanohydrin Formation
Reacts with hydrogen cyanide to form acetone cyanohydrin, the entry point into methyl methacrylate (MMA) synthesis.
Aldol Self-Condensation
Two molecules of acetone self-condense under base catalysis and are then hydrogenated to make methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK).
Cumene Oxidation & Cleavage (Upstream)
Cumene is air-oxidised and then acid-cleaved to form phenol and acetone together, the dominant industrial route in the whole chain.
Acetone against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Acetone for solvent, BPA or specialty-monomer manufacture often need the co-product phenol or the downstream BPA monomer. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone | 67-64-1 | Ketone co-product & solvent | The product on this page — phenol's cumene-process co-product and a general-purpose solvent. |
| Phenol | 108-95-2 | Aromatic hydroxyl intermediate | Acetone's co-product from the cumene process, and its condensation partner in BPA manufacture — see its product page. |
| Bisphenol-A | 80-05-7 | Diphenol monomer | Made by condensing acetone with phenol — the monomer for polycarbonate and epoxy resin — see its product page. |
| Cumene | 98-82-8 | BTX-derived aromatic | The shared starting material for both phenol and acetone — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Acetone.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
Causes serious eye irritation.
May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Harmful if swallowed (large quantities).
Chemical-resistant gloves and splash goggles are recommended for routine handling; ensure adequate ventilation.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame; ground and bond containers during transfer given the very low flash point.
High vapour concentrations in poorly ventilated areas can cause drowsiness or dizziness; ensure adequate ventilation.
Danger — GHS02 flammable and GHS07 irritant pictograms apply.
This compound is a highly flammable liquid that causes serious eye irritation and may cause drowsiness or dizziness at high vapour concentrations. While less acutely hazardous than many other materials in this range, it must still be handled with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection, adequate ventilation and strict control of ignition sources given its very low flash point. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, well-ventilated area below 30 °C, away from heat sources, sparks, open flame and strong oxidizing agents, in tightly closed original packaging given its high volatility and flammability. Standard solvent-handling PPE and good ventilation are sufficient for routine use. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay and water content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Acetone leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Acetone shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Acetone used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Acetone?+
03How is Acetone made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Acetone hazardous?+
06Why are Acetone and Phenol produced together?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Phenol and Bisphenol-A as well?+
Need Acetone on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.