The adjective solvent , whose etymological origin is found in the Latin dissolvens , refers to that which dissolves : that is, that manages to undo, disintegrate or separate something.
In the field of chemistry , the liquid that promotes the separation of the molecules or particles of a gas, a solid or another fluid is called a solvent. A solution , therefore, is created when a solute is diluted in a solvent .
In this process, the solvent molecules produce what is known as solvation , surrounding the solute molecules. Water is called a universal solvent due to its ability to function as a solvent for a huge number of substances.
Water offers the advantage of not being polluting; That is why it is used in numerous procedures that require the use of solvents (also called solvents ). These solvents that do not cause harm to the environment are classified as sustainable solvents .
Brine , for example, is a solution created through dissolving common salt in water. In this way, to obtain a brine, you must use water ( H2O ) as a solvent for the salt ( NaCl ).
Alcohol , methanol , benzene , gasoline , and chloroform can also act as solvents. In these cases, these are substances that must be used with caution since they are potentially dangerous.
It is possible to classify solvents taking into account their chemical structure, and in this way we obtain the following groups:
* hydrocarbon solvents : within this group there are three others, which are formed according to the type of carbon skeleton of their molecules, and they are aliphatic , aromatic and paraffinic . A widely used example of a hydrocarbon solvent is paint thinner;
* oxygenated solvents : they are generated through chemical reactions starting from olefins, which are derived from natural gas or petroleum , and are also divided into subgroups, although they outnumber hydrocarbons: ketones, alcohols, esters, ethers glycol, esters of glycol ethers and ethers. Our body generates ketones naturally every time it burns fat;
* halogenated solvents : these are the type of solvents that have a halogen, as occurs with iodine, bromine and chlorine . Another example widely used for dry cleaning is perchloroethylene, a highly effective solvent.
Solvents are used in the manufacture of cleaning products, paints, adhesives , cosmetics, textiles, foods and drugs, to name a few possibilities. This means that many people are exposed to the risks inherent in the manipulation of substances, both in the production stage and in the use or consumption of the already manufactured good.
The effectiveness of these and other products depends largely on the inclusion of solvents in their manufacture. If we focus on paints, for example, thanks to their application it is possible to disperse or dissolve those components that are used when formulating the paint so that its consistency is ideal when used on a surface, so that it does not spread. form clumps or clumps.
In the case of some spray paints, glycol ether esters are added in order to prevent them from drying in contact with air. Because these solvents evaporate slowly, they allow several coats of paint to be applied throughout the car painting process without defects forming.
Many of the inks used in printing include solvents to achieve more vibrant colors . Toluene , a hydrocarbon solvent, is present in the ink of certain magazines to minimize the possibility of smearing after printing.