What is Isopropyl Alcohol?

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is most popularly known as rubbing alcohol, a first aid kit must-have. It is a colourless, flammable chemical compound and can be easily identified by its strong odour.

Isopropyl alcohol (C₃H₈0) was the first commercial synthetic alcohol. First produced in 1920, a group of chemists at the Standard Oil Company in New Jersey discovered it whilst studying by-products of petroleum. IPA is now one of the most widely used solvents in the world. The demand for this multipurpose chemical is driven by its applications as a solvent in a variety of industries.

Properties

As a volatile liquid, isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly when exposed to air. As well as this, it doesn’t leave behind any residue. This makes it an ideal cleaning agent as it leaves no streaks on surfaces. Its antibacterial properties also mean that it is well suited as an antiseptic, disinfectant, and sanitiser.

IPA is miscible with most solvents, including water, ethanol, ether, and chloroform. Like other ethanol based substances, such as denatured alcohol, IPAs capacity to dissolve substances like oils, alkaloids, and natural resins demonstrates its effectiveness as a solvent.

While it is miscible with many solvents, isopropyl alcohol is not miscible with salt solutions. This means that it can easily be separated from an aqueous solution by adding sodium chloride to the mixture. This process is referred to as salting out.

When isopropyl alcohol is mixed with water, rubbing alcohol is created. This product has a wide range of uses, from disinfecting wounds to de-icing your windshield.

IPA is not to be confused with its pale ale counterpart. Isopropyl alcohol is generally 70% pure alcohol, but concentrations can reach higher percentages. While this makes it an effective solvent and cleaning agent, it also means that it is not safe to drink. In fact, as little as eight ounces could be fatal if consumed.

Formula and Structure

IPA is the simplest example of a secondary alcohol. This is because its alcohol carbon atom is attached to 2 other carbon atoms.

A 3-carbon chain bonds the carbon atoms together in IPAs structure. The carbon atoms at the end of the formula each have 3 hydrogen atoms attached to them. Meanwhile, the carbon atom in the middle is bonded with one hydrogen and one hydroxyl (OH) group.

The most common way to write isopropyl alcohol’s formula is C₃H₈0. However, it can also be expressed in a number of ways, including: C₃H₇OH, CH₃CHOHCH₃, and (CH₃)₂CHOH. No matter how you choose to write the formula, the number of carbons and hydrogens do not change.

Production of Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol can be produced using 3 different methods: indirect hydration of propylene, direct hydration of propylene, and catalytic hydrogenation of acetone.

Indirect Hydration of Propylene

Propylene, also known as propene, is an organic compound which is most commonly used in the petrochemical industry.  Up until 1951, indirect hydration of propylene was the only method used to produce IPA. This method is also referred to as the sulphuric acid process because it requires a reaction between propylene and sulphuric acid. There are 2 steps involved:

1. Propylene and sulphuric acid react to produce monoisopropyl and diisopropyl
2. Water is then added, which hydrolyses these intermediates and turns them into isopropyl alcohol

Direct Hydration of Propylene

In 1951, direct hydration of propylene was introduced and quickly overtook its predecessor in popularity. It is a more recent manufacturing process, and is also less corrosive.

1. Solid acidic catalysts are used when reacting propylene and water at high pressures
2. This produces a mixture of IPA and water, which can then be separated using distillation, or salting out

While this method involves less steps and is less corrosive, it does require high-purity propylene instead of the low-quality propylene that indirect hydration uses.

Catalytic Hydrogenation of Acetone

Acetone is an organic liquid closely related to isopropyl alcohol. When IPA is oxidised, it produces acetone. The same process happens in reverse as a reduction of acetone, via catalytic hydrogenation, generates isopropyl alcohol.

Catalytic hydrogenation is achieved by reacting acetone with hydrogen gas. This is carried out under high pressures, and in the presence of metal catalysts (e.g. palladium and ruthenium).

This method is useful because it can be coupled with one that produces excess acetone. This makes the catalytic reduction of acetone as a means of producing IPA an effective and efficient manufacturing process.

At ReAgent, we manufacture isopropyl alcohol in a range of sizes. From 2.5L screw cap bottles to 1000L IBCs, we offer a huge variety of quantities and packaging materials to ensure that the specific needs of your business are met. As an ISO quality approved company, you can trust that all of our chemical products are top grade and cost-effective. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you achieve your business goal.