Common Lab Solvents: Properties, Uses & Safety (Reference Guide)
A practical reference to the 16 solvents found in almost every chemistry, analytical, and industrial lab — molecular properties, boiling/flash points, common applications, and the GHS hazards to respect before you open the bottle.
Quick-Reference Table
| Solvent | Formula | Boiling Pt | Polarity | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone | C₃H₆O | 56°C | Polar aprotic | Cleaning, extraction, drying agents |
| Ethanol | C₂H₆O | 78°C | Polar protic | Polar protic, precipitation, sanitizing |
| Methanol | CH₄O | 65°C | Polar protic | Chromatography, derivatization |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | C₃H₈O | 82°C | Polar protic | Rinsing electronics, cleaning |
| Toluene | C₇H₈ | 111°C | Nonpolar | Polymer and resin work |
| Ethyl Acetate | C₄H₈O₂ | 77°C | Moderately polar | Extraction, TLC mobile phase |
| n-Hexane | C₆H₁₄ | 69°C | Nonpolar | Oil and fat extraction |
| Dichloromethane | CH₂Cl₂ | 40°C | Dipole aprotic | Solvent extraction, degreasing |
| Chloroform | CHCl₃ | 61°C | Dipole aprotic | NMR, gravimetric analysis |
| Acetonitrile | C₂H₃N | 82°C | Polar aprotic | HPLC mobile phase |
| Xylene | C₈H₁₀ | 139°C | Nonpolar | Histology clearing, coatings |
| DMSO | C₂H₆OS | 189°C | Polar aprotic | Solvent for polar/insoluble compounds |
Pick the Right Solvent by Problem
- Dissolving a water-sensitive organic compound? A polar aprotic like acetonitrile or DMSO.
- Cleaning a glass or a metal part? Fast-evaporating acetone or dichloromethane (with ventilation).
- Running an HPLC method? Acetonitrile/methanol with water as the mobile-phase base.
- Extracting a fat or oil? Nonpolar hexane or heptane.
- Solubility screening? Test a small, safe series (methanol → ethyl acetate → hexane) to map polarity needs.
Safety: Respect Every Bottle
Most common lab solvents are either flammable (acetone, ethanol, methanol, hexane, toluene, THF) or health hazards (methanol, toluene, chloroform, DCM, benzene). Benzene and carbon tetrachloride are largely replaced by safer toluene and THF in modern labs because of carcinogenicity and toxicity. When a substitute exists, prefer the safer analog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which solvent is safest for cleaning glassware?
Acetone is the common first choice: it dissolves most organic residues, evaporates fast, and is relatively low-toxicity — but it is highly flammable, so keep it away from ignition sources. For mycotoxin-contaminated glass, NaOH baths or dedicated decontamination reagents are safer than a cold rinse.
What is the difference between polar protic and polar aprotic solvents?
Polar protic solvents (water, ethanol, methanol) can donate hydrogen bonds and stabilize anions; polar aprotic solvents (acetonitrile, DMSO, acetone) dissolve polar compounds without strong hydrogen bonding, which is why they speed up many SN2 reactions.
Is DCM safe under a fume hood only?
Yes. Dichloromethane is a halogenated, volatile solvent with health-hazard classification — always use it in a fume hood with appropriate gloves, never at the bench with bare skin contact.
Can I pour mixed solvents down the drain?
No. Flush to a labeled waste container. Halogenated and non-halogenated solvent wastes must be segregated for legal, safe disposal, never mixed or poured down the drain.
Explore Each Solvent
Acetone (C3H6O)
2-propanone, dimethyl ketone
CAS 64-17-5Ethanol (C2H6O)
ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol
CAS 67-56-1Methanol (CH4O)
methyl alcohol, wood alcohol
CAS 67-63-0IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) (C3H8O)
2-propanol, isopropanol
CAS 108-88-3Toluene (C7H8)
methylbenzene, toluol
CAS 141-78-6Ethyl Acetate (C4H8O2)
ethyl ethanoate, acetic acid ethyl ester
CAS 110-54-3n-Hexane (C6H14)
n-hexane, hexane
CAS 75-09-2Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (CH2Cl2)
methylene chloride, DCM
CAS 110-54-3n-Hexane (C6H14)
n-hexane, hexane
CAS 75-05-8Acetonitrile (C2H3N)
methyl cyanide, cyanomethane
CAS 1330-20-7Xylene (Mixed Isomers) (C8H10)
xylol, dimethylbenzene
CAS 67-68-5DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) (C2H6OS)
dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl sulfoxide