Isopropanol
Isopropanol is a clear, colourless liquid that is a major component of rubbing alcohol as well as regular household items such as cleaners, disinfectants, and hand sanitisers.Applications.
Cleaning Chemicals & Detergents
- Extremely microbial against bacteria making it a popular antiseptic
- Considered an intermediate-level disinfectants, effective against bacteria, viruses, and some fungi
- Suited to cleaning glass surfaces due to its high volatility
- Commonly used in the electronic industry to clean magnetic tape and disc drive lasers
Others
- Used as an industrial solvent
- Behaves as an astringent making it a common ingredient in skin toners and tightening formulas
- Used in the manufacture of acetone and glycerine
Overview.
Isopropanol is a flammable, clear, colourless liquid with a slight alcoholic odour. It possesses physical, chemical and solvency properties similar to those of ethyl alcohol, making it completely miscible with water and soluble in most organic solvents.
It is the simplest example of a secondary alcohol, where the alcohol carbon atom is attached to two other carbon atoms.
It was first produced in 1920 by chemists at the Standard Oil Company who were studying petroleum by-products. It is primarily produced by combining water and propane in a hydration reaction or by hydrogenating acetone.
- Appearance:
- Colourless
- Other Names:
- IPA, Isopropyl Alcohol, 2-propanol
