Product Details
CasNo: 67 - 63 - 0
MF: C₃H₈O
Appearance: liquid
Purity: 99.5% Min
1. Basic Information
- English Name: Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), 2 - Propanol, Dimethyl carbinol
- Molecular Weight: 60.095
- CAS Registry Number: 67 - 63 - 0
- EINECS Registry Number: 200 - 661 - 7
2. Physical Properties
Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless, transparent liquid with an odor similar to a mixture of ethanol and acetone, and it has strong volatility.
3. Physicochemical Properties
- Density: 0.7855 g/cm³ (at 20°C)
- Flash Point: 11.7°C (closed - cup)
- Solubility: It is miscible with water, alcohol, ether, benzene, chloroform, and most common organic solvents.
- Vapor Pressure: 33 mmHg (at 20°C)
- Explosive Limit: 2.0% - 12.7% (by volume)
4. Main Applications
4.1 Solvent Field
- Industrial Solvent: It is a relatively inexpensive and widely used solvent in industry. It has a stronger dissolving power for lipophilic substances than ethanol and can dissolve substances such as nitrocellulose, rubber, coatings, shellac, and alkaloids. It is commonly used in the production of coatings, inks, extractants, and aerosol agents. It can also be used as an antifreeze, cleaner, additive for blending gasoline, dispersant for pigment production, fixative in the printing and dyeing industry, and antifogging agent for glass and transparent plastics, as well as a diluent and dehydrating agent for adhesives.
- Electronic Industry Cleaning: Due to its good volatility, excellent degreasing effect, fast - drying property without residue, and non - corrosiveness to electronic components, it is often used for cleaning and degreasing electronic devices such as IC chips and computer hard drives. It can effectively remove oil stains, dust, and impurities on the surface of electronic components, ensuring the performance and reliability of electronic equipment.
- Cosmetic Solvent: In cosmetics, it serves as a solvent to help dissolve ingredients such as fragrances and pigments, making the product texture more uniform. It is often included in the formulas of products such as perfumes, toners, and lotions.
4.2 Chemical Raw Material
- Synthesis of Various Compounds: It can be used to produce acetone, hydrogen peroxide, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, isopropylamine, isopropyl ether, isopropyl chloride, as well as fatty acid isopropyl esters and chlorinated fatty acid isopropyl esters.
- Fine Chemical Products: In the field of fine chemicals, it is used to manufacture isopropyl nitrate, isopropyl xanthate, triisopropyl phosphite, aluminum isopropoxide, as well as pharmaceutical and pesticide products. It can also be used to produce diisopropyl ketone, isopropyl acetate, thymol, and gasoline additives.
4.3 Pharmaceutical Field
- Disinfection and Sterilization: It is commonly used as a disinfectant in the form of a 60% - 70% aqueous solution. Its bactericidal effect is better than that of ethanol, but it has no effect on spores. It can be used for skin disinfection, killing bacteria and some viruses on the skin surface to reduce the risk of infection. It can also be applied to the skin to prevent pressure sores. However, its application is limited due to its significant defatting properties.
- Solvent for Pharmaceutical Preparations: As a solvent in pharmaceutical preparations, it helps dissolve drug components, promotes the stability and uniformity of drugs, and facilitates the preparation and use of drugs.
4.4 Other Applications
- Oil Industry: It can be used as an extractant for oils such as cottonseed oil, effectively extracting the active ingredients in the oils. It can also be used for defatting animal - derived tissue membranes, removing fat components from tissues for subsequent research or processing.
- Chromatographic Analysis: It is used as a standard substance in chromatographic analysis to determine elements such as barium, calcium, copper, magnesium, nickel, potassium, sodium, strontium, nitrite, and cobalt, assisting in analyzing the components and contents in samples.
5. Production Methods
5.1 Direct Hydration of Propylene
Using propylene and water as raw materials, in the presence of a catalyst (such as tungsten compounds, phosphates, ion - exchange resins, etc., commonly using phosphoric acid as the catalyst), a hydration reaction occurs under heating and pressure to produce isopropyl alcohol, with a reaction selectivity of up to 96%. This method has the advantages of a simple process, no sulfuric acid corrosion, and no dilute acid concentration problems. However, it requires high - purity propylene (>90%) as the raw material. The reaction equation is: CH₃CH=CH₂ + H₂O → (CH₃)₂CHOH.
5.2 Indirect Hydration of Propylene with Sulfuric Acid
Propylene first reacts with sulfuric acid to form isopropyl acid sulfate and diisopropyl sulfate, and then hydrolysis occurs to obtain crude isopropyl alcohol, which is finally refined to obtain high - purity products. This method has low requirements for raw materials and high - quality products, but the production process is complex, the reaction selectivity is low, and the equipment corrosion is severe. Currently, it is gradually being phased out. The main reaction equations are as follows:
- CH₃CH=CH₂ + H₂SO₄ → (CH₃)₂CHOSO₃H
- (CH₃)₂CHOSO₃H + H₂O → (CH₃)₂CHOH + H₂SO₄
5.3 Hydrogenation of Acetone
Hydrogen and acetone are mixed and enter the reactor. Under certain pressure and temperature, a reaction occurs in the presence of a catalyst (such as nickel - based catalysts, copper - based catalysts with excessive zinc components, etc.) to produce isopropyl alcohol and a small amount of by - products. The isopropyl alcohol produced by this method has high quality, but it is currently in the laboratory research stage and has not been widely applied in industrial production.
5.4 Hydrogenation of Isopropyl Acetate
Using isopropyl acetate as the raw material, isopropyl alcohol is produced by hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst. This method is also still in the research and development stage.
5.5 Transesterification of Isopropyl Acetate
Using sodium methoxide as the catalyst and combining with 隔壁塔精馏技术,isopropyl alcohol is synthesized by the transesterification reaction of isopropyl acetate and methanol. The methanol in the production process can be recycled. Currently, this technology is not mature and requires further development and research.
6. Packaging and Storage
6.1 Packaging
- Small - opening steel drums are used for the storage and transportation of a large amount of isopropyl alcohol. They can withstand a certain pressure and prevent liquid leakage.
- Threaded - mouth glass bottles, iron - capped pressed - mouth glass bottles, plastic bottles, or metal drums (cans) with ordinary wooden boxes outside are suitable for different scale requirements, providing good sealing and protection.
- 18L square cans and 200L iron drums are convenient for handling and storage and are commonly used in industrial and commercial applications.
- Tank car loading is suitable for large - scale transportation of isopropyl alcohol to improve transportation efficiency.
6.2 Storage
- Store in a cool, well - ventilated, and dry warehouse, away from ignition sources and heat sources. The warehouse temperature should not exceed 30°C to prevent the volatilization of isopropyl alcohol and the occurrence of fire and explosion hazards.
- Keep the container sealed to avoid the oxidation reaction of isopropyl alcohol due to contact with air, which may affect the product quality.
- Store separately from oxidants, acids, halogens, etc., and never store them together to prevent chemical reactions that may cause danger.
- Use explosion - proof lighting and ventilation facilities, and prohibit the use of mechanical equipment and tools that are prone to generating sparks to prevent fires and explosions caused by static electricity or sparks.
- The storage area should be equipped with leakage emergency treatment equipment and appropriate containment materials to handle leaks in a timely manner and reduce environmental pollution and safety risks.
7. Safety Information
7.1 Hazard Overview
- Physical Hazards: Highly flammable. Its vapor can form an explosive mixture with air. It can cause combustion and explosion when exposed to open flames or high heat.
- Inhalation: High - concentration vapors can irritate the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea.
- Skin Contact: It may cause skin dryness and cracking. Long - term or excessive contact may be absorbed by the skin, causing damage to the body.
- Eye Contact: It can cause severe eye irritation, leading to redness and pain in the eyes.
- Ingestion: It may cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and coma, and can be fatal in severe cases.
7.2 First - Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Quickly move the patient to an area with fresh air, keep the respiratory tract unobstructed. If breathing is difficult, provide oxygen. If breathing stops, perform artificial respiration immediately and seek medical attention.
- Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing and thoroughly wash the skin with soap and plenty of water. Seek medical advice to check for further damage.
- Eye Contact: Immediately lift the eyelids and thoroughly rinse the eyes with plenty of flowing water or normal saline for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical treatment.
- Ingestion: Drink plenty of warm water, induce vomiting, and perform gastric lavage. Seek medical treatment.
7.3 Protection Measures
- Engineering Controls: Use in a well - ventilated environment, adopt local exhaust or general ventilation to prevent the accumulation of vapors to the explosive limit or cause health hazards to personnel.
- Respiratory Protection: In environments where high - concentration isopropyl alcohol vapors may be encountered, such as in poorly ventilated areas or during operations involving high - concentration isopropyl alcohol, appropriate respiratory protection equipment, such as gas masks, should be worn.
- Skin Protection: Wear protective gloves (such as nitrile gloves) and protective clothing to prevent skin contact with isopropyl alcohol.
- Eye Protection: Wear safety goggles or face shields to protect the eyes from the irritation and damage of isopropyl alcohol vapors or liquids.
7.4 Risk Phrases
- R36/38: Irritating to eyes and skin.
- R40: Possible risk of irreversible effects.
- R67: Vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
7.5 Safety Phrases
- S7: Keep container tightly closed.
- S16: Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking.
- S24/25: Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
- S26: In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
- S36/37: Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves.