Acetone-alcohol 1:1 is a solvent mixture characterized by the combination of acetone and denatured ethanol. It finds application in medical diagnostics, histology and scientific laboratories. In particular, it proves useful in tissue processing and purification, efficiently removing fats and waxes from tissue specimens for clearer imaging.

Chemically, the mixture consists of acetone (CH3COCH3) and ethanol (C2H5OH), two organic solvents with polar natures that are miscible with each other. They share the property of serving as good solvents for a variety of organic and inorganic compounds, including lipids found in biological specimens.

In its function as a degreasing agent, the solution facilitates the penetration of other chemicals into tissue specimens, aiding in the identification of structures under the microscope. Therefore, the use of acetone-alcohol 1:1 can result in improved image quality and accuracy in histological analyses.