A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute (solids, liquids, or gases). If the solute is completely dissolved, a homogeneous solution is formed. A solvent is usually a liquid, but can also be a solid, gas, or supercritical fluid. Water is the most used solvent and has the ability to dissolve many solutes. All the ions and proteins in a cell are dissolved in the water inside the cell. In addition to water, other common liquid solvents include alcohols, acids, glycerol, and acetonitrile. In laboratories, solvents are often used for molecular biology, cell culture, imaging, and chromatography analysis. Polarity is the ability of a solvent to dissolve a solute. Solvents are classified as polar and non-polar based on their polarity.
Polar solvent molecules have positive and negative charges that are capable of electrostatic reactions or interactions with polar solute molecules. Polar solvent molecules are attracted to charged solute molecules, and if the force of attraction is strong enough to break the solute molecules, the solute can be distributed uniformly in the solvent. Common polar solvents are water, acetone, acetonitrile, isopropanol, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), etc. DMSO is often used for various experimental reactions and NMR spectroscopy. Methanol and ethanol are two polar solvents commonly used in various analytical processes including extraction and separation. In addition, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), isopropanol and acetonitrile solutions are commonly applied in the chromatography. With the development of organic synthesis, a considerable proportion of reactants are water-insoluble, requiring nonpolar solvents. Most organic molecules are nonpolar solutes that are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar solvents. Nonpolar solvents have low dielectric constants. Common nonpolar solvents are alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, chloroform, dichloromethane, pyridine, and so on. Chloroform is a commonly used laboratory solvent and is also used as an industrial solvent for the extraction and purification of certain antibiotics, alkaloids, vitamins, and flavors. The volatility of dichloromethane and its ability to dissolve a variety of organic compounds make it a useful solvent for many chemical processes. In the food industry, it is used to remove caffeine and to prepare extracts of flavoring agents. In other industries, dichloromethane can be used as degreasing and metal cleaning agents. Production efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the impact of solvents on human health and the environment are important considerations in the choice of solvents. To reduce the environmental impacts and health hazards associated with traditional solvents and improve the recyclability of solvent post-treatment, a new generation of solvents has emerged, such as biobased solvents, ionic liquids, supercritical carbon dioxide, deep eutectic solvents, perfluorinated solvents, etc.
Amerigo Scientific provides solvents in a wide range of specifications, pH values, grades, and chemical compositions for dissolution applications in industrial, pharmaceutical, and laboratory research.
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