Isopropyl Alcohol

Appearance: Colorless liquid

Chemical name: propan-2-ol

Chemical Formula: C3H8O

Packaging Type: In Barrels

Areas of Use:

Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless, flammable liquid known by a variety of other names. For example, in the laboratory it may be labeled isopropanol, isopro, iso, isopropyl, or simply by the abbreviation IPA. Also sometimes called 2-propanol, the reference is probably to an isomer of the inorganic compound propanol, also known as methylated spirits. Of course, isopropyl alcohol is most commonly known as simple rubbing alcohol.

Isopropyl alcohol, also known as isopropanol; is a clear, ethanol and acetone-like odor; flammable alcohol. It forms solutions with water, ethanol, acetone, chloroform and benzene in all proportions, can undergo all typical reactions of secondary alcohols, and reacts strongly with strong oxidizing agents. Isopropyl alcohol, used as a low-cost solvent in many applications, is similar to ethyl alcohol in terms of solvent properties and evaporation rate. In the event of combustion, it decomposes and forms toxic carbon monoxide.

Its high latent solvent power for cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose acetate propiate, its moderate evaporation rate and its ability to form complete solutions with many other solvents make it useful in lacquers, inks and thinners. The use of isopropyl alcohol in the production of monoisoprolamine for herbicides is the fastest growing segment in terms of use, while its use as a solvent in coatings and inks remains the same or increases slightly.

Areas of Use

• As a solvent; It finds application in the extraction and purification of natural products such as vegetable and animal oils, gum resins, waxes, colorants, aromas, alkaloids, vitamins and alginates; as a carrier in the production of foodstuffs; in the purification, crystallization and precipitation of organic chemicals; and in synthetic polymers such as phenolic varnishes and nitrocellulose lacquers.
• In addition, as a solvent, it is added to the formulations of cosmetics, hair tonics, perfumes, skin lotions, hair dye rinses, skin cleansers, deodorants, nail polishes, shampoos, hair sprays and air fresheners.
• As a coating and paint solvent, it finds application in the production of cement, primer, paint and ink, and acts as a cleaning and drying agent in liquid soap and detergent.
• Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is also used in the production of acetone and its derivatives, as well as other chemicals such as isopropyl acetate, isopropylamine, diisopropyl ether, isopropyl xanthate, fatty acid esters, herbicidal esters, and aluminum isopropoxide.
• Other areas of use include: as a cooling agent in beer production, as a dehydrating agent in polyvinyl fluoride production, as a polymerization modifier, and as a flavoring agent in home tobacco and personal care products.