Chemicals are commonly used in laboratories and households for cleansing purposes with a pungent odor. Acetone and Bleach are two examples of such types of chemicals used for cleansing purposes. When Acetone and Bleach mix it become dangerous chemicals that cause organ damage.
Summary
Acetone vs Bleach
The main difference between Acetone and Bleach is that Acetone is an organic compound discovered in 1832 by great chemists Dumas and Liebig. Acetone has the chemical formula (CH3)2CO. On the other hand, Bleach is an inorganic compound discovered in 1785 by great chemist Bartholet. Bleach has the chemical formula NaOCl.

Acetone is flammable (which means it will ignite when it comes in contact with an ignition source) in nature. It is used in nail polish remover, paint remover, and varnish thinner. Acetone is a good solvent and can be bought at an affordable price.
Bleach is inflammable (which means it will not ignite when it comes in contact with an ignition source) in nature. Bleaches are used in whitening fabrics and removing stains for our clothes. Bleach is not a good solvent like acetone and can be brought at a less affordable price.
Comparison Table Between Acetone and Bleach
Parameter of Comparison | Acetone | Bleach |
Discovery | Acetone was discovered in 1832 by chemists Dumas and Liebig. | Bleach was discovered in 1785 by Berthollet. |
Nature of compound | Acetone is Organic Compound in nature. | Bleach is an inorganic compound in nature. |
Chemical formula | The chemical formula of acetone – (CH3)2CO | The chemical formula of bleach – NaOCl |
Used | Acetone is use in paint remover and nail polish remover. | Bleach is use in removing stains for clothes and whitening fabrics. |
Solvency | Acetone is a better solvent. | Bleach is not a good solvent like acetone. |
Affordability | Acetone can be purchase at a more affordable price than other chemicals. | Bleach can be purchase at a less affordable price than Acetone chemical. |
What is Acetone?
Acetone is an organic compound (a chemical compound that contains bonds of carbon and hydrogen) with a chemical formula of (CH3)2CO. IUPAC name of Acetone is propan-2-one. The other names of acetone are dimethyl ketone and ketone propane. Ketone is the smallest and simplest ketone. Ketone is a colorless, flammable liquid, and highly volatile compound with a pungent odor.
Acetone is miscible (it forms a homogenous mixture or solution). It is commonly used in removing paint on walls and nail polish. Acetone is also found in the human body and is produced through the metabolic process. Acetone is found in the urine and blood of the human body. It was first produced in 1606 by Andreas Libavius.
Dumas and Liebig first discovered the empirical formula of the Acetone. Ketone is produced in the United States of America, followed by Taiwan and China. The cumene process helps in producing acetone. Earlier it was produced by the dry distillation process. It irritates living systems. It can be purchasable at an affordable price than other chemicals.
Acetone is a good solvent. It is used as thinner for removing paints and denaturants (chemicals that change the nature of other chemicals).
What is Bleach?
Bleach is an inorganic compound (compound made without the presence of carbon-hydrogen bond) with a chemical formula of NaOCI66`. IUPAC name of bleach is Sodium Hypochlorite which contains Na (sodium) cation and Hypochlorite (OCI) anion that’s why it can be seen as the sodium salt of hypochlorous acid.
It is widely used as a bleaching agent or disinfectant agent in household works especially removing stains from clothes. It is often referred to as antiformmin, dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite, and chloride of soda. Bleach is also used in removing color from fabrics. It also helps in swimming pool sanitation for controlling viruses and bacteria in pool water, and bleaching of wood pulp.
Bleach reacts with the color organic compound as natural pigment and turns into a colorless compound. Mostly bleaches are oxidizing agents (that remove electrons) and reducing agents (that donate electrons). Bleach affects the lungs, stomach, and esophagus. Bleach may damage these organs.
Bleaches are inflammable that’s why they cannot catch fire after coming into contact with an ignition agent but it is more toxic than other chemicals. Bleach can be purchasable at a less affordable price than other chemicals. Bleach is not much soluble in other compounds.
Main Differences Between Acetone and Bleach
- Acetone is an Organic Compound (made up of carbon-hydrogen bonds). On the other hand, Bleach is an inorganic Compound (not made up of carbon-hydrogen bonds).
- Acetone was discovered in 1832 by Dumas and Liebig, whereas bleach was discovered in 1785 by Berthollet.
- Acetone has a chemical formula of (CH3)2CO (also called propan-2-one), whereas Bleach has the chemical formula of NaOCl. It is also called Sodium hypochlorite or dilutes solution of sodium hypochlorite).
- Acetone is widely used as a paint remover and nail polish remover. On the other hand, Bleach is widely used as removing stains from clothes and remove the color from fabrics.
- Acetone is miscible and soluble, whereas Bleach is not more solvent than acetone.
- Acetone can be brought at an affordable price. On the other hand, Bleach can be brought at a less affordable price than acetone because of the greater production of bleach in the world market.
Conclusion
Acetone and Bleach are widely used for cleaning purposes in household and industrial purposes. However, acetone has the chemical formula (CH3)2CO used in removing paint and nail polish. On the other hand, Bleach has also called a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite having the chemical formula NaOCl. It is used as color remover in textile and stain remover in clothes.
When we mix these two chemicals it results in a dangerous toxic substance. On the other hand, Bleach is more toxic than acetone because it affects our lungs, stomach, heart. Acetone and bleach are both available at low prices but bleach is more affordable than acetone because of their larger production in the market.