what is isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol, also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol, is a colorless, flammable organic compound with a pungent alcoholic odor. It is a polar molecule and is miscible in water, ethanol, and chloroform. Isopropyl alcohol dissolves a wide range of non-polar compounds and evaporates quickly. It is used as a solvent to extract or purify numerous natural products, such as oils, gums, shellacs, waxes, kelp, and pectin. Isopropyl alcohol is also used as a disinfectant for noncritical patient care devices such as blood pressure cuffs and during cleanroom wipedown for disinfecting tools and packaging that must pass into ultra-clean spaces. It is commonly found in rubbing alcohol, which can be purchased with a concentration of 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol. The disinfecting power of rubbing alcohol drops at concentrations higher than 80%-85%, and experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. Isopropyl alcohol is dangerous to aquatic life at high concentrations.