Isopropyl alcohol (IPA, Isopropanol) is an important organic compound with diverse properties and applications. The following provides a detailed introduction across two major aspects: physical and chemical properties, and application fields:
isopropyl alcohol properties
- Appearance and Odor: Isopropanol is a colorless, transparent liquid with an odor resembling a mixture of ethanol and acetone.
- Solubility: Isopropanol is highly soluble in water and dissolves readily in most organic solvents, including alcohols, ethers, benzene, and chloroform.
- Physical constants: Melting point is -88.5°C, boiling point is 82.3°C (also reported as 82.5°C or 80.3°C, potentially varying due to measurement conditions or purity), density is 0.7855 g/cm³ (relative density, with water = 1 being 0.79), relative vapor density (air = 1) is 2.07.
- Flammability: Isopropanol is a flammable substance. Its vapors can form explosive mixtures with air and ignite or explode upon contact with open flames or high heat.
isopropyl alcohol (IPA/Isopropanol) Uses
Solvent Applications:
- IPA is widely used as a solvent due to its miscibility with water, fatty compounds, and many organic substances.
- It freely mixes with water and exhibits stronger solvency for lipophilic substances than ethanol, making it suitable for nitrocellulose, rubber, paints, shellac, alkaloids, and other materials.
- Isopropanol is also used in manufacturing paints, inks, extraction agents, aerosol propellants, and more.
Medicine and Disinfection:
- Isopropanol possesses excellent bactericidal properties. Its 70% aqueous solution is widely used as a disinfectant in homes and hospitals.
- It is commonly employed for skin disinfection, hand sanitization, and sterilizing medical instruments.
- IPA also serves as a preservative for biological samples and functions as a reaction medium in certain chemical processes.
Chemical Raw Material:
- IPA is a vital chemical intermediate for producing acetone, hydrogen peroxide, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, isopropylamine, isopropyl ether, isopropyl chloride, isopropyl esters of fatty acids, and chlorinated fatty acid isopropyl esters.
- In fine chemicals, it is employed to produce isopropyl nitrate, isopropyl xanthate, triisopropyl phosphite, aluminum isopropoxide, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides.
Other Applications:
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA/Isopropanol) serves as an antifreeze agent, cleaning agent, gasoline blending additive, pigment production dispersant, dyeing industry fixative, and anti-fogging agent for glass and transparent plastics.
- It also functions as a defoaming agent in water-based fracturing fluids for oil wells and a degreasing agent for animal-derived tissue membranes.
Why Choose Gneebio as Your Supplier?
As a leading manufacturer and exporter of fine chemicals, Henan Gneebio provides high-purity isopropyl alcohol (IPA/Isopropanol) that meets both industrial and laboratory-grade standards. We supply to customers across the chemical, pharmaceutical, and materials industries, ensuring consistent quality, reliable logistics, and professional technical support.
Our Advantages:
- We run advanced ISO9001, ISO14001, and GMP-certified production lines.
- Our products reach over 60 countries with long-term partners in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
- Ample inventory ensures fast, reliable bulk delivery.
- Gneebio provides personalized technical and business support from inquiry to after-sales.
Click here to get the latest isopropyl alcohol (IPA/Isopropanol) market prices for 2025.
