However, life might be possible in the presence of another solvent with qualities equal or superior to water. It may be that water is the solvent used by life on earth simply because it is here in much greater quantities than any other solvent. What it means to be in solution is that the atoms and molecules are separated from each other by the solvent. For example, water is an excellent solvent for salt. If you put a teaspoon of table salt in a glass of water and stir, soon you are unable to see the salt.
Industrial chemists are always interested in finding new and more effective solvents.
The perfect solvent, in an industrial sense, is that solvent which has the ability to put almost anything into solution in high concentration, is cheap, safe and smells good. Dr. Saytzeff reported his findings in a German chemistry journal in 1867. They noticed it could dissolve almost anything and carry it in solution. This is remarkable, because human skin is impenetrable to most substances. It was also shown to relieve pain and swelling, relax muscles, relieve arthritis, improve blood supply and slow the growth of bacteria.