A multitude of uses exist for solvents, from industrial applications in the producing of items such as nail polish remover to humdrum household processes like the brewing of coffee or dissolving salt for making pasta. Water is naturally the most common solvent, but while regular tap water is safe for some tasks, such as the aforementioned coffee brewing, most scientific applications necessitate some variety of purified water with the right polarity for the job at hand.

While the American Chemical Society has a set of standards for water designated as ACS Reagents water, there are a variety of grades produced for more specific applications, such as HPLC water. Since HPLC grade water does not absorb UV light, as do other purified waters, it is ideal for use in liquid chromatography. Deionized (or demineralized) water, while useful as a solvent, has many applications as a coolant as well since it may be applied in proximity to high-voltage electrical equipment.

Of course, water is not the only solvent. Among the chemical solvents most used are cyclohexanone, which is widely used as a solvent in industry as well as an activator in oxidation reactions, and methyl alcohol, also known as methanol.

Chemical companies produce a wide range of grades of purified waters and other solvents which are available in virtually any quantity for use in industry, laboratories, universities, and research facilities. The important thing to consider in purchasing chemicals and solvents is the reputation of the merchant you use.

It is great to find one that has a huge inventory of chemicals and laboratory supplies, so that you can find everything you need in one place, and, of course, cost matters. First, however, you must be able to trust the quality of the solvents you are using. If you cannot trust the purity of your solvents, you cannot trust your results.

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