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| Isopropyl alcohol |
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| General |
| Systematic name |
Propan-2-ol |
| Other names |
2-Propanol, isopropanol,
Isopropyl alcohol |
| Molecular formula |
C3H8O |
| SMILES |
CC(O)C |
| Molar mass |
60.10 g/mol |
| Appearance |
Colorless liquid |
| CAS number |
67-63-0 |
| Properties |
| Density and phase |
0.78 g/cm3, liquid |
| Solubility in water |
Fully miscible |
| Solubility in brine |
Slightly soluble |
In ethanol, ether
In acetone, toluene |
Fully miscible
Soluble |
| Melting point |
-88 °C (185 K) |
| Boiling point |
87 °C (360 K) |
| Acidity (pKa) |
16.5 |
| Viscosity |
2.86 cP at 15 °C
1.77 cP at 30 °C |
| Dipole moment |
1.66 D (gas) |
| Hazards |
| MSDS |
External MSDS |
| Main hazards |
Flammable |
| NFPA 704 |
   |
| Flash point |
12 °C |
| R/S statement |
R: 11-36-67
S: 7-16-24/25-26 |
| RTECS number |
NT8050000 |
| Supplementary data page |
Structure and
properties |
n, εr, etc. |
Thermodynamic
data |
Phase behaviour
Solid, liquid, gas |
| Spectral data |
UV, IR, NMR, MS |
| Related compounds |
| Related alcohols |
1-propanol,
ethanol, 2-butanol |
| Other compounds |
acetone, propylene,
diisopropyl ether,
2-bromopropane
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Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25°C, 100 kPa)
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Isopropyl alcohol or isopropanol is a common name for propan-2-ol, a colorless, flammable chemical compound with the chemical formula CH3CHOHCH3. It is the simplest example of a secondary alcohol, where the alcohol carbon is attached to two other carbons. It is an isomer of 1-propanol.
Uses
Sterilizing pads typically contain a 60-70% solution of isopropanol in water. Isopropyl alcohol is also commonly used as a cleaner and solvent in industry. It is also used as a gasoline additive for dissolving water or ice in fuel lines. Isopropanol is the main ingredient in rubbing alcohol. It is used as a disinfectant, and is a common solvent.
Isopropanol is a major ingredient in "dry-gas" fuel additive. In significant quantities, water is a problem in fuel tanks as it seperates from the gasoline. If the engine tried to combust the water instead of gasoline serious engine problems could result. The isopropanol does not remove the water from the gasoline. Rather, the isopropanol solublizes the water in the gasoline. Once soluble, the water does not pose the same risk as insoluble water.
It is also a very good cleaning agent and often used for cleaning electronic devices such as contact pins (like those on ROM cartridges), magnetic tape deck and floppy disk drive heads, the lenses of lasers in optical disc drives (e.g. CD, DVD) and removing thermal paste off CPUs.
Chemistry
Being a secondary alcohol, isopropanol can easily be oxidised to acetone. This can be achieved using oxidising agents such as chromic acid, or by dehydrogenation of isopropanol over a heated copper catalyst:
(CH3)2CH-OH → (CH32C=O + H2
Isopropanol may be converted to 2-bromopropane using phosphorus tribromide, or dehydrated to propylene by heating with sulfuric acid. With sodium hydroxide and a halogen, or with sodium hypochlorite, it undergoes the haloform reaction.
Isopropanol is often used as a hydride source in the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction.
Like most alcohols, isopropyl alcohol reacts with active metals such as potassium to form alkoxides. The reaction with aluminium (initiated by a trace of mercury) is used to prepare the catalyst aluminium isopropoxide.
Isopropanol has a maximal absorbance spectra at 204 nm.
Safety
Isopropyl alcohol is flammable and poisonous. It should be kept away from heat and open flame. Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include flushing, headache, dizziness, CNS depression, nausea, vomiting, anesthesia, and coma. Use in well-ventilated areas and use protective gloves while using. Poisoning can occur from ingestion, inhalation, or absorption.
External links
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