MolDraw › 3D molecule models › Acetone 3D model
Acetone molecule model (C3H6O)
Acetone (propan-2-one) is the simplest ketone. The central carbonyl carbon is trigonal planar and sp², flanked by two tetrahedral methyl groups. The polar C=O makes acetone an excellent solvent.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: PubChem conformer (CID 180).
Acetone at a glance
| Formula | C3H6O |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 58.08 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | propan-2-one |
| Atoms / bonds | 10 / 9 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 0 / 1 |
| XLogP3 | -0.1 |
| SMILES | CC(=O)C |
| PubChem CID | 180 |
What the 3D model of Acetone shows
The model contains 10 atoms (4 heavy atoms and 6 hydrogens) joined by 9 bonds; in ball-and-stick mode every stick is one bond, and double or aromatic bonds are drawn as multiple sticks. Switch to space-filling to see the molecule as its electron cloud, scaled to van der Waals radii: this is the shape other molecules actually "feel". It can donate 0 and accept 1 hydrogen bonds, and its PubChem XLogP3 of -0.1 means it is fairly balanced between water and fat solubility. Its topological polar surface area is 17.1 Ų.
Shape and bond angles
| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
|---|---|---|
| C=O carbon | Trigonal planar, sp² | C–C–C ≈ 117°, C–C=O ≈ 121.5° |
| CH₃ carbons | Tetrahedral, sp³ | ≈ 109.5° |
Is Acetone polar?
Polar (about 2.9 D) because of the C=O bond, but it has no O–H, so it accepts hydrogen bonds without donating them.
Elemental composition of C3H6O
| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 3 | 36.033 | 62.04% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 6 | 6.048 | 10.41% |
| Oxygen (O) | 1 | 15.999 | 27.55% |
Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the molar mass calculator.
Uses of acetone
- Nail-polish remover and paint thinner
- Solvent for plastics, resins and lab glassware rinsing
- Feedstock for methyl methacrylate and bisphenol A
Interesting facts
- The human body makes acetone as a ketone body during fasting.
- Acetone boils at 56 °C and is highly flammable.
- It is miscible with water, ethanol and most organic solvents.
Drawing structures for your notes? MolDraw is a free online chemical structure editor for molecules, reactions and lab diagrams.
Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
What is the shape of acetone?
The carbonyl carbon is trigonal planar (sp², about 120°) and the two methyl carbons are tetrahedral.
Is acetone polar?
Yes. The C=O bond gives a large dipole (about 2.9 D), so acetone dissolves both polar and many non-polar substances.
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of acetone?
Acetone is C3H6O with a molar mass of 58.08 g/mol (PubChem CID 180). It contains 10 atoms: 3 carbon, 6 hydrogen, 1 oxygen.
What is the IUPAC name of Acetone?
The PubChem-computed IUPAC name is propan-2-one.
How do I make a model of Acetone?
Rotate the interactive model above to see how its 10 atoms connect, then copy it with a ball-and-stick kit: use the CPK colours shown (carbon grey or black, hydrogen white, oxygen red, nitrogen blue). For a school project, foam balls and toothpicks work well.