Acetone is a common colorless organic solvent with the chemical formula (CH3)2CO. It is the smallest and simplest ketone, with high flammability. Also known as propanone or dimethyl ketone, this polar aprotic solvent is often used for cleaning in households, commercial operations, and laboratories. Acetone occurs naturally in plants and the body and is a byproduct of forest fires and vehicle exhaust.

In addition to its use in the lab as a cleaning agent, acetone features in several organic reactions such as SN2 reactions. Acetone also helps lower the temperature of reactions and is a common fluorescent tracer as well as a key reagent for protein precipitation.