ABSTRACT
A solvent is any relatively nonreactive substance, usually a liquid at room temperature, that dissolves another substance, resulting in a solution. Solvents may cause toxic effects in an exposed individual. Organic solvents can be divided into families according to chemical structure and the attached functional groups. A number of liquid aliphatic hydrocarbons are used in relatively pure form as solvents and also are the major constituents of a number of petroleum distillate solvents. The liquid alkenes are not widely used as solvents but are common chemical intermediates. Aromatic hydrocarbons have enjoyed wide usage as solvents and as chemical intermediates. Petroleum distillate solvents are mixtures of petroleum derivatives distilled from crude petroleum at a particular range of boiling points. Chlorinated hydrocarbons are typically colorless, volatile liquids with excellent solvent properties. Methyl alcohol is widely used as an industrial solvent and as an adulterant to denature ethanol to prevent its abuse when used as an industrial solvent.
