Isopropyl alcohol is miscible in water, ethanol, and chloroform, as it is an organic polar molecule. It dissolves ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl butyral, many oils, alkaloids, and natural resins. [10] Unlike ethanol or methanol, isopropyl alcohol is not miscible with salt solutions and can be separated from aqueous solutions by adding a salt such as sodium chloride. The process is colloquially called salting out, and causes concentrated isopropyl alcohol to separate into a distinct layer. [11] Rubbing alcohol usually isn’t available for sale in supermarkets, unless they have a dedicated pharmacy counter. If they have a pharmacy, they will probably sell rubbing alcohol under the name ‘surgical spirit’. For your safety at home, use the least concentration of isopropyl alcohol that is still effective against the microbe you want to eradicate. Isopropyl alcohol can be oxidized to acetone, which is the corresponding ketone. This can be achieved using oxidizing agents such as chromic acid, or by dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol over a heated copper catalyst: As you can imagine, you can’t really soak phones and keyboards in water, so this is the ideal cleaner!

The most widely used alcohol-based sanitizers contain either ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol). Ethanol is chemically the same as drinking alcohol. You might have heard isopropanol referred to as rubbing alcohol. First, ensure the room is well-ventilated. Next, dip cotton wool in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the surface or object. Disinfecting cuts and scrapes People can use rubbing alcohol that contains 70% isopropyl alcohol to disinfect minor cuts and scrapes. To do this, follow these steps: Chemical safety: peroxide formation in 2-propanol". Chemical & Engineering News. 94 (31): 2. 1 August 2016. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017 . Retrieved 2 November 2017.As a biological specimen preservative, isopropyl alcohol provides a comparatively non-toxic alternative to formaldehyde and other synthetic preservatives. Isopropyl alcohol solutions of 70–99% are used to preserve specimens.

Now here is the interesting fact. Research shows that as you dilute alcohol with purified water below 50% alcohol, the solution becomes less effective. The optimal concentration is actually between 60% and 90% alcohol. [2],[4],[6] Direct hydration reacts propene and water, either in gas or liquid phase, at high pressures in the presence of solid or supported acidic catalysts. This type of process usually requires higher-purity propylene (> 90%). [17] Direct hydration is more commonly used in Europe. Clark, D. E. (2001). Peroxides and peroxide-forming compounds. Chemical Health and Safety, 8(5), 12-22.Isopropyl alcohol is oxidized to form acetone by alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver [33] and has a biological half-life in humans between 2.5 and 8.0 hours. [33] Unlike methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning, the metabolites of isopropyl alcohol are considerably less toxic, and treatment is largely supportive. Furthermore, there is no indication for the use of fomepizole, an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, unless co-ingestion with methanol or ethylene glycol is suspected. [36] Most manufacturers sell rubbing alcohol in different formulation strengths, namely 70 or 90 percent rubbing alcohol. As a general rule, 70 percent rubbing alcohol is more friendly for use on your skin. It’s best to avoid using any isopropyl mixture below 90% on circuit boards and other electrical bits. If you’re simply cleaning the adhesive off something metal or plastic, 70% might do in a pinch, but you’ll want to be sure not to spill it onto circuits or wires. There’s enough water in that lower-grade stuff that it will take longer to evaporate, and may leave behind trace impurities from the water when you’re finished.