A polar solvent is a liquid with molecules that have a distinct electrical charge distribution, enabling it to dissolve ionic and other polar substances
. Polar solvents contain partial positive and partial negative charges or dipole moments
. Some common polar solvents include water, acetone, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), isopropanol, and methanol
. In contrast, nonpolar solvents have no overall dipole moment and are more likely to dissolve nonpolar substances
. Nonpolar solvents include alkanes (pentane, hexane, and heptane) and aromatics (benzene, toluene, and xylene)
. Polar solvents are often classified by their dielectric constant or polarity index, which are measurements of the electrical properties of a solvent
. The dielectric constant is a measurement of the electrical properties of a solvent in a sample versus an which holds the material while electrical current passes through it. The polarity index is a relative measurement of a solvent's ability to dissolve various standard polar substances
. Solvents are used extensively in various applications, including chemical reactions, analytical separations, manufacturing cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, personal care items, textiles, paints, pesticides, and many other products
