The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Isopropyl alcohol (EYE-so-PRO-pil AL-ko-hol) is a colorless flammable liquid with a sweet odor. In 2004, about 600 million kilograms (about 1.3 billion pounds) of isopropyl alcohol were produced in the United States, with about half of that used as an industrial solvent and about a third used in the preparation of other chemical compounds. It is perhaps best known to many people as rubbing alcohol, usually a 70 percent solution of isopropyl alcohol in water. The compound is commonly used to clean a person's skin before an injection is given. It kills bacteria on the skin and prevents infection.
2-propanol; isopropanol; rubbing alcohol
CH3CHOHCH3
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
Alcohol (organic)
Liquid
60.10 g/mol
−87.9°C (−126°F)
82.3°C (180°F)
Miscible with water and most common organic solvents
The most popular industrial method for preparing isopropyl alcohol was invented in 1920 by researchers at the Standard Oil Company (now Exxon). In that process, propene (propylene; CH2CH=CH2) is treated with hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid as a catalyst.
Isopropyl alcohol dissolves many other organic compounds easily, so it finds wide use as a solvent for gums; essential and other kinds of oils; alkaloids; certain types of plastics; derivatives of cellulose; paints, varnishes, shellacs, and other types of coatings; and quick-drying inks. Essential oils are oils extracted from plants that have therapeutic value. Alkaloids are organic bases that contain the element nitrogen.
The synthesis of many important organic compounds begins with isopropyl alcohol as a raw material. Among these compounds are acetone, glycerol, and isopropyl acetate, itself widely used as a solvent for organic substances. Among the other uses to which isopropyl alcohol is put are:
"Isopropanol." Spectrum Laboratories. http://www.speclab.com/compound/c67630.htm (accessed on October 12, 2005).
"Isopropyl Alcohol." New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/1076.pdf (accessed on October 12, 2005).
"2-Propanol." International Programme on Chemical Safety. http://www.inchem.org/documents/sids/sids/67630.pdf (accessed on October 12, 2005).