2-Propanol

2-Propanol

What Is 2-Propanol?

2-propanol is a flammable secondary alcohol with an isopropyl group linked to a hydroxyl group. Structurally, it is an isomer of 1-propanol and ethyl methyl ether.

Standard Oil first produced 2-propanol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, in 1920 by hydrating propene. Today, it is used to make industrial and household chemicals, including antiseptics, disinfectants, and detergents.

2-propanol and its metabolite, acetone, depress the central nervous system. Ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption can cause poisoning. Poisoning symptoms include flushing, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, anesthesia, hypothermia, low blood pressure, shock, respiratory depression, and coma.

Vapor from 2-propanol is denser than air and flammable. It is important to keep it away from heat and open flames. It is also a skin irritant, so protective gloves are recommended for handling.

Synonyms: Rubbing alcohol, propan-2-ol (IUPAC name), isopropyl alcohol, IPA, propyl alcohol, sec-propyl alcohol, s-propanol, iPrOH, i-PrOH, IpOH, dimethyl carbinol, and isopropanol. (IUPAC considers isopropanol incorrect because the hydrocarbon isopropane does not exist.)

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Physical and Chemical Properties

PropertyValue    

Property

Molecular Weight
Value
60.10 g/mol
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Density
Value
0.785 g/mL at 25°C
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Boiling Point
Value
82ºC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Melting Point
Value
-89.5ºC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Flash Point
Value
11.7ºC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Viscosity
Value
2.038 cP at 25ºC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Dielectric Constant
Value
20.18 at 20ºC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Dipole Moment
Value
1.560
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

UV Cutoff
Value
210 nm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Refractive Index
Value
1.377 at 20ºC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Vapor Pressure
Value
33 mm Hg at 20°C
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Property

Vapor Density
Value
2.1 (vs. air)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Uses

Solvent: Isopropyl alcohol dissolves many non-polar compounds. It evaporates quickly, leaves little to no trace compared to ethanol, and is relatively non-toxic. It is used as a cleaning fluid for oils, eyeglasses, electrical contacts, DVD and other optical disc lenses, and for removing thermal pastes.

Laboratory: Isopropyl alcohol (70% solution) is relatively non-toxic compared to formaldehyde and other preservatives. It is sometimes used to precipitate DNA for extractions.

Medical and Personal Care: Isopropyl alcohol (70% solution) is used for rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting pads. The solvent can also be used to help remove water to prevent swimmer's ear.

Automotive: Isopropyl alcohol helps solubilize water in gas-drying fuel additives so that it doesn’t separate and freeze. It can also remove brake fluid, serve as a de-icer, and be used as homemade windshield washer fluid.

Designations and Grades

PropertyValue  

Property

CAS Number
Value
67-63-0
 
 
 
 

Property

MDL Number
Value
MFCD00011674
 
 
 
 

Property

RIDAD /UN Number
Value
UN 1219 3/PG 2
 
 
 
 

Property

Beilstein Registry
Value
635639
 
 
 
 

Property

EG/EC Number
Value
2006617
 
 
 
 

Grades

ACS, ACS Reagent, Certified ACS

Anhydrous/Dry/Extra Dry

Biochemical

Electronic/Semiconductor

FCC/NF/BP/EP/JP/USP

GC

Histological

HPLC Gradient

 

HPLC/UHPLC/UHPLC-UV

Laboratory/Technical

LC-MS, Ultra LC-MS

Molecular Biology

Pesticide Residue

Spectrophotometry

Trace Metals

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