During World War I, the method of producing acetone through bacterial fermentation was developed by Chaim Weizmann to help

the British war effort. 1832- 2 chemists, Dumas and Liebig, found the correct elemental composition of acetone Since alchemical times (time in which chemistry and philosophy was practiced in the Middle Ages and Renaissance with concern to discovering methods for transforming a common substance to a substance of higher value) acetone was referred to as spirit of Saturn due to the fact that it could be volatilized from salt or lead acetate 1874- Chaim Weizmann was born 1904- He immigrated to Great Britain and began his scientific career as a research chemist at Manchester University. During World War I he was acclaimed for his discovery of a method to produce synthetic acetone and came into contact with the "movers and shakers" of British society, among them Lord Balfour and Winston Churchill. nineteenth century was dedicated to expanding the knowledge of the reactions and derivatives of acetone. There were many failed attempts to classify the compound as either alcohol or ester

 General purpose cleaner in paint and ink manufacturing operations Safe transport and storage of acetylene Often the primary (or only) component in nail polish remover. It is also used as a superglue remover. It can be used for thinning and cleaning fiberglass resins and epoxies Highly effective in removing stains by permanent markers Used as agent in art work. When rubbed on back of laser print/photocopy, it produces a rough effect Used in manufacture of cordite Strong solvent for plastics and synthetic fibers Used as a drying agent, because it is volatile In the laboratory, acetone is used as a polar aprotic solvent (solvent that doesnt release hydrogen ions) in a variety of organic reactions In the lab, its vapor is used as a fluorescent tracer in fluid flow experiments Idea for thinning and cleaning fiberglass