ORGANIC SOLVENTS Meaning and
Definition
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Organic solvents refer to a class of volatile compounds that are primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. These solvents are commonly used in various industries and scientific applications for dissolving, dispersing, or extracting substances that are insoluble in water or other polar solvents.
Organic solvents possess the ability to dissolve organic compounds, such as fats, oils, waxes, resins, and many synthetic chemicals. They have a diverse range of properties, including low boiling points, high volatility, and low viscosities. Some well-known organic solvents include acetone, ethanol, methanol, toluene, xylene, chloroform, and benzene.
These solvents find extensive use in industries such as chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, cleaning products, adhesives, and automotive. They are also utilized in research laboratories, analytical chemistry, and in the formulation of various consumer products.
While organic solvents are highly effective at their intended purposes, they can pose health and environmental risks due to their volatility and potential toxicity. Inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with these solvents can result in harmful effects to humans, including irritation, respiratory issues, dizziness, and even organ damage. Moreover, organic solvents can contribute to air pollution and contaminate soil and water bodies if not handled and disposed of properly.
As a result of these risks, regulatory bodies have established guidelines for the safe use, storage, and disposal of organic solvents, while also encouraging the development and use of less toxic alternatives.
Etymology of ORGANIC SOLVENTS
The word "organic solvents" consists of two parts: "organic" and "solvents".
The term "organic" in chemistry refers to substances derived from living organisms or containing carbon atoms. It originated from the Greek word "organikos", meaning "relating to an organ", which further evolved into the Latin word "organicus" and eventually into the English term "organic".
On the other hand, "solvents" refers to liquids capable of dissolving other substances. The word has its origins in Latin, coming from the verb "solvere", meaning "to loosen" or "to dissolve".
Therefore, the etymology of "organic solvents" derives from the combination of the concept of substances derived from living organisms (organic) and liquids capable of dissolving other substances (solvents).
