Reactions of nail polish
Reaction with acetone - Decomposition of nail polish
Acetone is a main ingredient in many nail polish removers, and can be used by itself to remove nail polish. Acetone is a solvent, which explains why it is so often used for removing nail polish. If the nail polish is dried on the nail, then a solvent needs to be added back in order for the nail polish to return to a liquid form and be easily removed. Acetone is the strongest solvent, so it removes the varnish the quickest, but it can also dry out skin (acetone can dissolve nail polish, so it can dissolve skin oils too).
Acetone dissolves the resins that hold the varnish to the nail, causing the nail polish to be removed without difficulty.
There is no chemical reaction that takes place during the removal of the nail polish. The acetone pulls the polymers in the nail polish apart, and basically changes the nail polish back to its original (liquid) form. As long as the solvent "likes" the polymer, it will dissolve the polymer. Once the hardened polish is liquidized again, it can be wiped off easily using a cotton ball or a piece of tissue.
The chemical formula of acetone is:
Acetone dissolves the resins that hold the varnish to the nail, causing the nail polish to be removed without difficulty.
There is no chemical reaction that takes place during the removal of the nail polish. The acetone pulls the polymers in the nail polish apart, and basically changes the nail polish back to its original (liquid) form. As long as the solvent "likes" the polymer, it will dissolve the polymer. Once the hardened polish is liquidized again, it can be wiped off easily using a cotton ball or a piece of tissue.
The chemical formula of acetone is:
(CH3)2OC
Acetone is formed by using an acetate like calcium acetate. The synthesis of acetone is illustrated by the following equation:
Ca(CH3COO)2 → CaO(s) + CO2(g) + (CH3)2CO