Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) is a clear, colorless, volatile alcohol with a characteristic odor, widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. It serves as a solvent, disinfectant, and thinner, and due to its rapid evaporation and high solvency for both organic and inorganic compounds, it is essential in many industrial and laboratory processes.

Features and Applications

Features:

• Colorless and volatile
• Soluble in water and many organic solvents
• Flammable with low boiling point

Applications:

• Solvent in paints, resins, and adhesives
• Disinfectant and surface cleaner
• Thinner for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
• Usage in electronics and medical industries

Technical Specifications

• Chemical Formula: C₃H₈O
• Molecular Weight: 60.1 g/mol
• Density: 0.785 g/cm³
• Boiling Point: 82.5°C
• Melting Point: −89°C
• Water Solubility: Soluble in water and most organic solvents
• Color: Colorless
• Odor: Characteristic industrial alcohol odor

Hazards and Safety

• Flammability: Keep away from heat, flames, and sparks.
• Skin and Eye Contact: Gloves and safety goggles recommended.
• Inhalation: High concentrations may affect the central nervous system.
• Environmental: Prevent release into water and soil.

Packaging and Storage

• Packaging: Polyethylene bottles, 200-liter drums, IBC containers
• Storage: Cool, dry, ventilated area, away from oxidizing agents

Industrial Applications

• Disinfection and surface cleaning
• Solvent in paints, resins, and adhesives
• Thinner for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
• Usage in electronics and medical applications

IPA has been used since the 1950s as a disinfectant in hospitals and laboratories, playing a key role in reducing the spread of bacteria and viruses.

A 2022 study showed that combining isopropyl alcohol with other alcohols in disinfectants can achieve up to 99% effectiveness against resistant bacteria and viruses. Source