Solvent
. Solvent, substance in a solution (a uniform mixture of chemicals) that is in the greatest abundance and typically determines the physical state of the solution. The substance or substances in the solution in smaller amounts are called solutes. Both solvents and solutes can be solids, liquids, or gases. For example, in a solution of salt water, water is the solvent and salt is the solute. In carbonated water, water is the solvent and carbon dioxide gas is the solute. In steel, iron is the solvent and carbon is the solute. Solvents are commercially valuable. They are an important component of paints, lacquers, and pharmaceuticals, and are used in the production of synthetic (artificial) materials. By selecting the proper solvent, one ingredient or group of ingredients can be separated from a complex substance. This process is called solvent extraction. A solvent can, for example, remove a fragrance or flavor from a complex plant or animal substance. Once dissolved, the fragrance or fl...