Isopropanol, also known as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and propan-2-ol, is a colorless, flammable organic compound with a pungent alcoholic odor. It has a range of applications across many industries, including:
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Solvent: Isopropanol is commonly used as a solvent for coatings, inks, and adhesives.
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Antiseptic: Isopropanol is an ingredient in many hospital surface cleaning and disinfectant products. It is also effective in labs, for cleaning electrical components, and in home cleaning products.
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Cleaning agent: Isopropanol is used as a cleaning agent for a variety of surfaces, including eyeglasses, electrical contacts, audio or video tape heads, DVD and other optical disc lenses, and mirrors.
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Astringent: Isopropanol is used as an astringent in cosmetic products.
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Muscle aches: Isopropanol is used as a rubefacient to relieve muscle aches and pains.
Isopropanol is also used in the production of other chemicals. For example, it is esterified to give isopropyl acetate, another solvent. It reacts with carbon disulfide and sodium hydroxide to give sodium isopropylxanthate, a herbicide and an ore flotation reagent. Isopropyl alcohol reacts with titanium tetrachloride and aluminium metal to give titanium and aluminium isopropoxides, respectively, the former a catalyst, and the latter a chemical reagent.
