Isopropyl alcohol is an organic compound with the molecular formula C3H8O. It is an isomer of n-propanol, also known as dimethyl carbinol or 2-propanol, and is referred to as IPA in the industry. It is a colorless transparent liquid, flammable, with an odor similar to a mixture of ethanol and acetone. It is soluble in water and also in most organic solvents such as alcohols, ethers, and benzene. Isopropyl alcohol is an important chemical product and raw material, primarily used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, plastics, fragrances, coatings, etc.
Chinese name: Isopropyl alcohol
Alias: Dimethyl carbinol, 2-Propanol
English abbreviation: IPA
Molecular formula: C3H8O
Molecular weight: 60.06
CAS number: 67-63-0
Main Uses
Widely used as an organic raw material and solvent. As a chemical raw material, it can be used to produce methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, isopropylamine, isopropyl ether, isopropyl chloride, as well as isopropyl esters of fatty acids and chlorinated fatty acids. In fine chemicals, it can be used to produce isopropyl nitrate, isopropyl xanthate, triisopropyl phosphite, aluminum isopropoxide, as well as pharmaceuticals and pesticides. It can also be used to produce diisopropyl ketone, isopropyl acetate, thymol, and gasoline additives.
As a solvent, it is relatively inexpensive industrially and has a wide range of applications. It can mix freely with water and has a stronger dissolving power for lipophilic substances than ethanol. It can be used as a solvent for nitrocellulose, rubber, coatings, shellac, alkaloids, etc. It can be used in the production of coatings, inks, extractants, aerosol agents, etc. It is also used as an antifreeze, cleaning agent, gasoline additive, dispersant in pigment production, fixative in the printing and dyeing industry, and anti-fog agent for glass and transparent plastics. It is used as a diluent for adhesives and also as an antifreeze and dehydrating agent.
Used as a standard in chromatographic analysis for the determination of barium, calcium, copper, magnesium, nickel, potassium, sodium, strontium, nitrite, cobalt, etc.
Used as a defoamer in water-based fracturing fluids for oil wells.
In the electronics industry, it can be used as a cleaning and degreasing agent. In the fats and oils industry, it is used as an extractant for cottonseed oil and for degreasing animal-derived tissue membranes.
It is a colorless flammable liquid with a pleasant odor, miscible with ethanol, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, ethers, and water. It is used to produce metal cleaners, wood preservatives, photographic film and drug preservatives, antifreeze, hydraulic oil solvents, extractants, and fiber finishing agents. It is widely used as a solvent for electrostatic spray painting, celluloid, nitrocellulose, fats, oils, waxes, resins, etc. Diacetone alcohol is a high-boiling-point organic solvent with low viscosity, and viscosity is less affected by temperature. It is used as a solvent and paint remover for cellulose ester paints, printing inks, synthetic resin coatings, etc.