nature

Isopropyl alcohol is miscible with water, alcohol, ether and chloroform. It dissolves ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl butyral, many oils, alkaloids, gums and natural resins. Unlike ethanol or methanol, it is insoluble in saline solutions. Therefore, isopropyl alcohol can be separated by adding salt to an aqueous solution, such as sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, or any other inorganic salt, because isopropyl alcohol is less soluble in salt aqueous solution, the process is commonly known as salting out, can concentrate isopropyl alcohol, separated into different layers. When isopropyl alcohol azeotrope with water at 87.7% by weight (91% by volume), its boiling point is 80.37 ° C (176.67°F). The melting and boiling points of the water-isopropyl alcohol mixture are lower than those of the original pure substance.

Isopropyl alcohol is slightly bitter, but it is toxic and should not be drunk. Isopropyl alcohol becomes more viscous as the temperature drops. At temperatures below −70 °C (−94 °F), isopropyl alcohol has a viscous consistency similar to maple syrup. The reaction isopropyl alcohol can be oxidized to acetone, either by using an oxidizing agent (e.g., chromic acid, potassium dichromate) or by dehydrogenating isopropyl alcohol via a heated copper catalyst: (CH3)2CHOH →(CH3)2CO + H2

Isopropyl alcohol is often used as a solvent and hydride source in the Meerwein-Pondorf-Verle reduction and other Transfer hydrogenation reactions, after which it is oxidized to acetone. Isopropyl alcohol can be converted to 2-bromopropane using phosphorus tribromide, or heated with sulfuric acid and dehydrated to propylene.

use

The vast majority of isopropyl alcohol is used as a solvent or cleaner in coating or industrial processes (such as semiconductor chip washing impurities), especially in pharmaceutical applications, because it is considered low toxicity of any residues. Some isopropyl alcohol is used as a chemical intermediate. Isopropyl alcohol can be converted to acetone, but the isopropyl benzene process is more commonly used. It can also be used as a gasoline additive.