Various types of organic compounds or their derivatives are found on this earth. Some occur naturally, whereas some are synthesised in the laboratory. These organic compounds are studied in detail under organic chemistry. Two among the various compounds are acetone and acetate. Acetone is a ketone, and acetate is a negative ion. However, in this article, we will study how acetone differs from acetate in detail.
Acetone vs Acetate
The main difference between acetone and acetate is that acetone is a ketone having the molecular formula CH3COCH3. However, acetate has a molecular formula of CH3COO- and it’s an anion. In acetone, a total of two methyl groups are present. However, in acetate one -CH3 is present. In acetone, one oxygen atom is present. Whereas in an acetate molecule, two oxygen atoms are present.
Acetone is a ketone having the molecular formula CH3COCH3. The molecular weight of acetone is 58.07 grams per mol. Acetone belongs to the family of ketones. Industrially, acetone is manufactured by the method of cumene hydroperoxide. The odour of acetone is similar to fruits. Acetone is used in lacquers, nail paint remover, stripping paint.
Acetate has a molecular formula of CH3COO- and it’s an anion. 59.044 grams per mole is the molecular weight of acetate. Acetate belongs to the family of anions. When a proton comes out of acetic acid, acetate ions are formed. Later these acetate ions react with other salts to form various chemical substances. And thus, acetate is formed.
Comparison Table Between Acetone and Acetate
| Parameters of Comparison | Acetone | Acetate |
| Definition | Acetone is a ketone having the molecular formula CH3COCH3. | Acetate has a molecular formula of CH3COO- and it’s an anion. |
| Molecular weight | The molecular weight of acetone is 58.07 grams per mol. | 59.044 grams per mole is the molecular weight of acetate. |
| Type of molecule | Acetone belongs to the family of ketones. | Acetate belongs to the family of anions. |
| Number of -CH3 groups | Two methyl groups are present. | One methyl group is present. |
| Number of oxygen atoms | One oxygen atom is present. | Two oxygen atoms are present. |
| Formation in industry | Industrially, acetone is manufactured by the method of cumene hydroperoxide. | When a proton comes out of acetic acid, acetate ions are formed. |
| Formation in nature | Through the process of catabolism of fats in humans, acetone is formed. | Organisms such as methanogenic bacteria are capable of making acetate inside their cells. |
| Odour | The odour of acetone is similar to fruits. | Acetate smells like glue or gives a sweet odour. |
| Uses | Acetone is used in lacquers, nail paint remover, stripping paint. | Acetate is used for the removal of paint or varnish from surfaces, electroplating, manufacture of photographic film. |
What is Acetone?
Acetone is a flammable, colourless and volatile liquid at 37.5 degrees Celcius, that is, at room temperature. Also, it is the smallest ketone in the family of ketones. Ketone is generally used in industries and household needs. Its presence can be seen in rubber cement, varnish, nail paint removers, glues, etc. However, it serves as a great solvent for synthetic fibres and plastics as well. Acetone is used as a food additive as well. Its production is made solely from propylene. This method is also known as the cumene process.
Through the process of catabolism of fats in humans, acetone is formed. Later it results in the manufacture and production of molecules such as ketones. Acetone is a substance with a fruity smell, and it is also flammable. That is, it easily reacts when it comes in contact with fire. It belongs to the family of ketones and is generally used as a paint stripper and nail paint remover.
What is Acetate?
When the combination of acetate ion occurs with an alkyl group, the ester is formed. The salts of acetic acid are termed acetate. The salts formed contains acetic acid with various other substances such as non-metallic, metallic or another base, and alkaline earthy as well. Acetate is extensively used in the field of biology. As ‘acetyl CoA’ is one of the main compounds metabolised by living organisms.
Some organisms, such as methanogenic bacteria, are capable of making acetate inside their cells. Acetate smells like glue or gives a sweet odour. Acetate is used for the removal of paint or varnish from surfaces, electroplating, manufacture of photographic film. Acetate is not always flammable, but sometimes. However, it depends upon the substances acetate combined with. Acetate is generally used in removing paint from wall surfaces. It is an anion, i.e., an ion that is negatively charged.
Main Differences Between Acetone and Acetate
- Acetone is a ketone having the molecular formula CH3COCH3. However, acetate has a molecular formula of CH3COO- and it’s an anion.
- The molecular weight of acetone is 58.07 grams per mol. However, 59.044 grams per mole is the molecular weight of acetate.
- Acetone belongs to the family of ketones. Whereas acetate belongs to the family of anions.
- In acetone, a total of two methyl groups are present. However, in acetate one -CH3 is present.
- In acetone, one oxygen atom is present. Whereas in an acetate molecule, two oxygen atoms are present.
- Industrially, acetone is manufactured by the method of cumene hydroperoxide. However, when a photon comes out of acetic acid, acetate ions are formed. Later these acetate ions react with other salts to form various chemical substances. And thus, acetate is formed.
- Through the process of catabolism of fats in humans, acetone is formed. Later it results in the manufacture and production of molecules such as ketones. However, some organisms, such as methanogenic bacteria, are capable of making acetate inside their cells.
- The odour of acetone is similar to fruits. On the other hand, acetate smells like glue or gives a sweet odour.
- Acetone is used in lacquers, nail paint remover, stripping paint. However, acetate is used for the removal of paint or varnish from surfaces, electroplating, manufacture of photographic film.
Conclusion
Acetone and acetate are two organic compounds that are studied in detail under the scope of organic chemistry. However, other derivatives can be prepared from acetic acid by combining it with other salts. Acetone is a substance with a fruity smell, and it is also flammable. That is, it easily reacts when it comes in contact with fire.
It belongs to the family of ketones and is generally used as a paint stripper and nail paint remover. Acetate is not always flammable, but sometimes. However, it depends upon the substances acetate combined with. Acetate is generally used in removing paint from wall surfaces. It is an anion, i.e., an ion that is negatively charged.
References
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10953-013-0010-1
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009250903004469