Isopropyl alcohol

Names Preferred IUPAC nameOther names Identifiers Abbreviations IPA
Me₂CHOH
i-PrOH
iPrOH
PrOH 635639 ChEBIChEMBLChemSpiderECHA InfoCard100.000.6011464 KEGGRTECS numberUNIIUN number1219 Properties C₃H₈OMolar mass60.096 g·mol Appearance Colorless liquid OdorPungent alcoholic odor Density0.786g/cm (20°C) Melting point−89 Â°C (−128 Â°F; 184 K) Boiling point82.6 Â°C (180.7 Â°F; 355.8 K) Critical point (T, P) 508.7 K (235.6 °C), 5370 kPa MiscibleSolubilityMiscible with benzene, chloroform, ethanol, diethyl ether, glycerol; soluble in acetonelog P−0.16 Acidity (pK_a) 16.5 −45.794·10cm/mol 1.3776 Viscosity2.86cP at 15°C
1.96cP at 25°C
1.77 cP at 30 °C 1.66D (gas) Thermochemistry 2.68 J/(gK) at 20°C-25°C 180 J/(mol K) −318.2 kJ/mol 5.28 kJ/mol 44.0 kJ/mol Pharmacology D08AX05 (WHO) Hazards Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): Flammable, mildly toxic GHS labelling: DangerH225, H302, H319, H336P210, P261, P305+P351+P338NFPA 704 (fire diamond) Flash pointOpen cup: 11.7 Â°C (53.1 Â°F; 284.8 K)
Closed cup: 13 Â°C (55 Â°F) 399 Â°C (750 Â°F; 672 K) Explosive limits2–12.7% 980mg/m (TWA), 1225mg/m (STEL) Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): NIOSH (US health exposure limits): TWA 400ppm (980mg/m) TWA 400ppm (980mg/m), ST 500ppm (1225 mg/m) 2000ppm Safety data sheet (SDS) [1]Related compounds 1-Propanol, ethanol, 2-butanolAcetoneSupplementary data page Isopropyl alcohol (data page)

Isopropyl alcohol (IUPAC name propan-2-ol and also called isopropanol or 2-propanol, commonly abbreviated as IPA) is a colorless, flammable, organic compound with a pungent odor.

Isopropyl alcohol, an organic polar molecule, is miscible in water, ethanol, and chloroform, demonstrating its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances including ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl butyral, oils, alkaloids, and natural resins. Notably, it is not miscible with salt solutions and can be separated by adding sodium chloride in a process known as salting out. It forms an azeotrope with water, resulting in a boiling point of 80.37 Â°C and is characterized by its slightly bitter taste. Isopropyl alcohol becomes viscous at lower temperatures, freezing at −89.5 Â°C, and has significant ultraviolet-visible absorbance at 205 nm. Chemically, it can be oxidized to acetone or undergo various reactions to form compounds such as isopropoxides, e.g. aluminium isopropoxide. As an isopropyl group linked to a hydroxyl group (chemical formula(CH₃)₂CHOH) it is the simplest example of a secondary alcohol, where the alcohol carbon atom is attached to two other carbon atoms. It is a structural isomer of propan-1-ol and ethyl methyl ether, all of which share the formula C₃H₈O.

It was first synthesized in 1853 by Alexander William Williamson and later produced for cordite preparation. It is produced through hydration of propene or hydrogenation of acetone, with modern processes achieving anhydrous alcohol through azeotropic distillation.

Isopropyl alcohol serves in medical settings as a rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer, and in industrial and household applications as a solvent. It is a common ingredient in products such as antiseptics, disinfectants, and detergents. More than a million tonnes are produced worldwide annually. Isopropyl alcohol poses safety risks due to its flammability and potential for peroxide formation. Its ingestion or absorption leads to toxic effects including central nervous system depression and coma.