Question

Nail polish remover contains:

• A. Acetone
• B. Benzene
• C. Petroleum ether
• D. Acetic acid

Hint:

Think about which small polar solvent dissolves the resin in nail lacquer and evaporates fast.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understand what nail polish is made of. Nail polish (nail lacquer) is basically a solution of a film forming polymer, usually nitrocellulose or a similar resin, dissolved along with plasticisers and pigments in a volatile organic solvent. Once painted on the nail, the solvent evaporates and leaves behind a hard, glossy polymer film.
Step 2: To remove that film you need a liquid that can dissolve the same polymer again and then evaporate quickly so the nail dries fast. Acetone (CH₃COCH₃) is a small, highly polar ketone that mixes very well with the polymer resin, breaks the film apart, and has a low boiling point of about 56 degrees C, so it evaporates within seconds of application. This combination of strong dissolving power and fast evaporation is exactly why acetone is the standard ingredient in nail polish remover.
Step 3: Now check why the other options fail this job. Benzene is a nonpolar aromatic hydrocarbon and a known carcinogen, so it is never used in a cosmetic product applied directly to skin. Petroleum ether is also a nonpolar hydrocarbon mixture, it does not dissolve the polar nitrocellulose film efficiently, so it is a poor remover. Acetic acid is a corrosive weak acid that would irritate the skin and nail bed and has no special affinity for dissolving the lacquer polymer, so it is not used either.
Step 4: Since only acetone combines strong solvent action for the polymer film with quick, safe evaporation, option A is the correct answer.