Isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol, IPS, propanol-2) is the simplest secondary monoatomic alcohol of the aliphatic series. Belongs to substances of the 3rd class of danger (moderately dangerous substances).
Today, isopropyl alcohol is widely used in many fields: pharmacology, medicine, chemical and automotive industries, etc.
What is isopropanol?
Isopropanol is a secondary alcohol of the aliphatic series, which can form various esters, reacts with active metals, and upon condensation with aromatic compounds, derivatives are obtained, for example, isopropylbenzene.
Isopropanol is an excellent solvent and dissolves itself in benzene and acetone. It is miscible with water and organic solvents in any proportions, dissolves natural and some synthetic resins, ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl butyral and most oils well.
Not suitable for working with rubber and some plastics!
Appearance: colorless liquid with a sharp alcohol smell, more sharp than the smell of ethyl alcohol. Freezing point: 89.5 ° C below zero.
Vapors of the substance easily mix with air and at high concentration form an explosive mixture, so work with it in well-ventilated rooms and keep it away from open flames and heating devices.
The main areas of application of isopropyl alcohol?
To obtain acetone, the largest particle of isopropanol is used for this function. However, recently the rate of use is decreasing due to the popularity of another method of acetone formation – the cumene method.
As a solvent – for natural and synthetic resins, fats, nitrolacquers, proteins, chlorophyll, alkaloids and other substances. It is also used as a component of liquid soap.
For the synthesis of esters, we are primarily talking about isopropyl acetate, which is a varnish solvent. In addition, isopropanol is used to introduce an isopropyl group into other compounds such as thymol and isopropylphenol.
As a substitute for ethyl alcohol – isopropyl alcohol is often used as a substitute for ethyl alcohol in cosmetology and perfumery and pharmaceuticals. It should be remembered that any means using IPS are suitable only for external use. Production of medicines and food products with isopropanol is strictly prohibited!
To improve the quality of fuel – here IPS is used as a fuel additive to prevent engine icing.
Anti-icing – widely used to de-icing airplane wings and helicopter propellers, and a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and ethylene glycol de-ices runways at airfields.
As an antiseptic and disinfectant, it is widely used in medicine to treat tools and surfaces. It is sometimes used in the treatment of infectious skin diseases.
Isopropyl alcohol and its use in various industries
Isopropanol is used both in everyday life and in industry.
In the automotive industry – due to the fact that isopropyl alcohol freezes at very low temperatures. it is used in antifreeze, windshield wipers and added to gasoline.
In medicine, isopropyl alcohol is used as a disinfectant (tampons and napkins are impregnated with a 60-70% solution, hands are cleaned). It is also used to preserve organic materials (an alternative to formaldehyde).
In pharmacology, it is used in analyzes using gas chromatography.
When obtaining other reagents in chemistry, acetone and isopropylbenzene are obtained from isopropanol on an industrial scale.
In addition, isopropyl alcohol is used as a cleaner in electrical engineering, electronics, metallurgy, furniture and fiber optic production.
Isopropanol is also used in everyday life. It is less toxic than most household solvents. Therefore, with its help, stains, glue, oils, paint, dirt are removed from fabrics, paper, wooden, metal and glass surfaces.
Use of isopropyl alcohol in everyday life
Despite the fact that isopropyl alcohol is a rather dangerous substance for human health, it is widely used in everyday life.
The most popular methods of use in everyday life are:
Glass cleaning – for high-quality cleaning, it is enough to dilute 50 ml of isopropanol per half liter of clean water. For application, use a sprayer and a dry cloth. These simple steps will allow you to get perfectly clean windows and mirrors.
Removal of stains – grease, ink, grass, coffee, paint, etc. – all this is due to isopropyl alcohol. To remove stains, it is necessary to apply a little substance to the stain itself and wait a little, and then wash textiles or remove the remaining dirt with a soapy solution.
Mold control – great for black mold removal and prevention. For a high-quality fight against mold, alcohol should be diluted with warm water in a ratio of 1:1, applied with a sprayer to the surface and left for 10 minutes. After that, wipe with a sponge.
Removal of insects and bugs – in everyday life we often encounter “unwanted guests” in the kitchen cupboard or on the balcony or in the garden. Isopropanol will also come to the rescue here. To get rid of insects, you should pour alcohol into a spray bottle and treat surfaces without rubbing, let the liquid dry, and then clean all treated surfaces with a rag, brush or sponge.
Removing unpleasant odors – most often we encounter unpleasant odors in the kitchen when the aromas of food eat into the surface of the cabinet, refrigerator or microwave oven. To treat kitchen surfaces, it is enough to dilute isopropanol with water in equal proportions and wipe the surface, then rinse well with cool water. To remove unpleasant odors from microwave ovens and refrigerators, it is necessary to dissolve half a glass of IPS in five liters of water and apply the mixture to the walls of household appliances, leaving the door open for 30 minutes.
Disinfection of the bathroom – often bacteria that form on bathroom surfaces are the cause of various diseases. And now we are not talking about mold. To disinfect the bathtub, you need to take a rag or towel, moisten it with alcohol and wipe the bathtub. IPS will not only remove germs and bacteria, but also give the chrome bath a shine and attractive appearance.
Use of isopropyl alcohol in medicine
All you need to know about isopropyl alcohol and its use in medicine is that there are directions in which IPA is indispensable, namely:
Antiseptics – widely used to create antiseptic solutions used by doctors before surgical interventions, injections and other medical manipulations.
Disinfection – IPS helps to treat surfaces and instruments in order to achieve the required level of sterility. Often, tools are simply dipped in a solution to remove bacteria and pathogens.
Isopropanol is a dermatological agent included in many solutions, gels and ointments used to treat skin diseases and infections.
IPS is also used in histological studies.
Isopropanol and its use in the chemical industry
The modern chemical industry also cannot do without isopropyl alcohol.
Here, this substance is very often used as a solvent for essential oils, some synthetic resins, alkaloids, etc. Wide use is also explained by the fact that the solubility of organic substances is much greater than with the use of ethyl alcohol. IPS is often used for the synthesis of isopropyl acetate and other esters.
It is often used for the purification of heavy metals from impurities, the creation of electrolytes, and the production of acetone.
Use of isopropyl alcohol in pharmacology
In pharmacological activities, isopropanol is used as a reference standard in gas chromatography (for example, during the analysis of medicinal products for residual organic solvents) and for the preservation of organic materials. similarly with formaldehyde.
IPS in the composition of hand antiseptics
Isopropyl alcohol is often included in hand antiseptics because it is effective in killing most bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms.
However, it is important to remember that the effectiveness of fighting bacteria depends not only on the composition of the antiseptic, but also on how quickly it evaporates.
Isopropanol is an excellent helper in the destruction of bacteria, but the time of action of an antiseptic based on it is insufficient, only 10-15 seconds. After this period of time, the alcohol will completely evaporate.
The researchers said that using 0.3 mm of an alcohol-based antiseptic is not much more effective than regular hand washing. And the use of 0.5 mm significantly increases efficiency.
Isopropyl alcohol and its use in printing
In the printing industry, isopropanol is used as an additive in a wetting solution. The part of IPS is usually 12-14% of the total composition. The presence of isopropyl alcohol in the solution allows you to reduce the thickness of the water layer on the printing form.
In addition, IPS can be used for degreasing before applying film, glue or tape.
Use of isopropyl alcohol in the automotive industry
Since isopropanol freezes at very low temperatures, it is often used as part of antifreeze.
Isopropyl alcohol is also used as an additive to gasoline.
IPS is widely used as an aviation gasoline stabilizer and anti-icing agent.
Isopropanol is often used in preparation for further work on various automotive surfaces. It perfectly removes the remains of waxes, sealants and other materials before polishing. To use, it is enough to make a solution of clean water and IPS in equal proportions, apply to the required surface with a sprayer and wipe with a microfiber cloth.
The most popular type of use of isopropyl alcohol among motorists is the creation of an isopropanol-based windshield washer. For this, it is enough to have a five-liter container, isopropyl alcohol, water, liquid soap and food coloring.
First, add 1 liter of IPS to the empty container, then – 4 liters of water, 50 ml of liquid soap and a few drops of dye. Turn the closed container several times so that all the components are mixed together.
Now the windshield wiper is ready! Try it and you won’t regret it, because this solution can be used even at -20 ºС!
Using isopropanol to clean gadgets
We all have a lot of gadgets and equipment at home, starting with TVs and ending with laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart watches and headphones.
Over time, the equipment needs to be cleaned of dirt and dust, but ordinary cleaning products that can be purchased at a hardware store are not suitable for these purposes! In this way, you can damage the sensitive elements of the gadget, which can completely disable it.
This is where isopropyl alcohol, which is widely used for cleaning equipment and its spare parts, comes to the rescue.
The first thing to do is to disconnect the equipment from the power source or remove the battery. Next, soak a cotton pad or cotton swab in undiluted alcohol and wipe the contaminated areas. There is no need to rub hard, isopropanol will easily cope without it. It is also not necessary to wash it off, it is enough to let the IPS evaporate.
Isopropanol perfectly cleans dust, dirt, and grease marks. In practice, gadget repairmen often use IPS to clean hard-to-reach areas of gadgets, as well as to prevent contamination of microcircuits, boards, etc.
Precautions when working with isopropyl alcohol
When using isopropyl alcohol, safety precautions must be observed.
Isopropyl alcohol belongs to the category of moderately dangerous substances. Inhalation of vapors exceeding the maximum permissible concentration (10 mg/m3) – poisoning is possible. IPS has a narcotic effect.
Isopropanol is a highly flammable substance, the flash point is 12°C, and the autoignition temperature is 455°C. The ignition range of isopropanol vapors in a mixture with air is 2-12% according to GOST 12.1.044.
That is why all work with this substance should be carried out in well-ventilated areas, away from sources of fire and sparks.
It is also worth taking care of protection against static electricity during bulk operations with isopropyl alcohol in the chemical, petrochemical and oil refining industries.
In case of emergency situations when working with IPS, it is worth using gas masks of brand A or BKF!
Frequently asked questions about isopropanol
What is isopropyl alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol (propanol-2, isopropanol, IPS) is the simplest secondary monoatomic alcohol of the aliphatic series, formed as a result of the hydration of propylene or hydrogenation of acetone.
What is isopropyl alcohol used for?
The list of applications of IPS is quite long, so here we indicate the main areas of application:
To obtain acetone
As a solvent
For the synthesis of esters
As a substitute for ethyl alcohol
To improve fuel quality
Against icing
As an antiseptic and disinfectant
How to dilute isopropyl alcohol?
It is recommended to dilute isopropanol with distilled water in a ratio of 1:1.
It should be remembered that even in everyday life, isopropyl alcohol is sometimes used in undiluted form: in the fight against insect pests, for disinfection and removal of stains.