Product Overview
Isopropyl Alcohol(IPA, CAS No. 67‑63‑0), also known as 2‑propanol and dimethyl carbinol, is a colourless, transparent and flammable liquid with an ethanol‑like odour. It is fully miscible with water, ethanol, diethyl ether and chloroform. As a secondary‑alcohol industrial solvent, IPA features fast volatilisation, low residue and stable chemical properties. It is widely applied in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, chemical extraction, precision cleaning and low‑temperature fluid systems.
Basic Specifications
|
Item |
Parameter |
|
Chinese Aliases |
Dimethyl carbinol, 2‑propanol, 2‑hydroxypropane |
|
English Aliases |
iso‑Propyl alcohol, 2‑propanol, isopropanol, PriOH |
|
CAS No. |
67‑63‑0 |
|
Molecular Formula |
C₃H₈O |
|
Molecular Weight |
60.095 |
|
Appearance |
Colourless transparent liquid |
|
Density (20/4℃) |
0.7855 g/cm³ |
|
Boiling Point |
81‑83℃ |
|
Azeotropic Property |
Forms a minimum‑boiling azeotrope with water (azeotropic point: 80.37℃, water content approx. 12.3%). This is a key indicator for industrial rectification dehydration and differentiation between industrial‑grade and high‑purity IPA. |
|
Melting / Freezing Point |
‑89.5℃ |
|
Refractive Index |
1.376‑1.378 |
|
Viscosity (20℃) |
2.4 mPa·s |
|
Flash Point |
12‑22℃ |
|
Vapour Pressure (20℃) |
4.4 kPa |
|
Explosion Limits in Air |
Lower limit 2.02% / Upper limit 7.99% |
|
Solubility |
Fully miscible with water, ethanol, diethyl ether and chloroform |
Production Processes
Industrial‑grade isopropyl alcohol is mainly produced from propylene via two technical routes:
Direct Propylene Hydration (Mainstream)
Propylene and process water are pre‑heated under pressure and hydrated over phosphoric‑acid‑diatomite catalyst. Crude product is refined by rough distillation, rectification and extraction to obtain high‑purity IPA. Characterised by good selectivity and no strong‑acid corrosion, this is the preferred process for large‑scale production units.
Indirect Sulfuric‑Acid Hydration (Traditional)
Propylene is absorbed by concentrated sulfuric acid, followed by dilution and hydrolysis. It delivers high propylene conversion yet brings severe equipment corrosion and requires supporting sulfuric‑acid recovery systems. This route is rarely adopted for new production capacities.
Industrial Advantages of Chinese IPA Production
Global IPA production capacities are concentrated in China, North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. Supported by propylene feedstock and petrochemical‑integrated infrastructure, China serves as a major producer and exporter of isopropyl alcohol with a complete industrial chain.
Production Capacity: As of 2026, multiple direct propylene hydration units are in operation across China, stably supplying 99.9% high‑purity IPA. Product prices show strong correlation with propylene feedstock costs.
Cost & Supply Chain: Well‑established petrochemical clusters guarantee stable raw‑material supply. Integrated production lowers overall manufacturing costs.
Consistent Quality: Continuous rectification technology ensures stable batch performance, meeting requirements from pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and fine‑chemical sectors.
Storage & Logistics: Mature hazardous‑chemical warehousing and logistics services are available in coastal and northern petrochemical parks. Bulk tanker transportation is supported for cross‑border trade.
Industrial Chain
Upstream Raw Materials: Propylene, process water, phosphoric‑acid catalyst, extraction solvents.
Downstream Derivatives
IPA plays two distinct roles in downstream processing:
Reaction Feedstock (participates in molecular construction)
‑ 4‑Isopropylphenol (CAS 99‑89‑8, for resins / fragrances)
‑ p‑Cymene (CAS 99‑87‑6, for flavours / pharmaceutical intermediates)
‑ 1,3‑Diisopropylbenzene (CAS 99‑62‑7, for plasticisers)
Reaction Medium / Extraction Aid (does not integrate into final product molecules)
‑ Cumene (CAS 98‑82‑8, feedstock for phenol / acetone)
‑ 1,2,3‑Trichloropropane (CAS 96‑18‑4)
‑ Furfuryl alcohol (CAS 98‑00‑0)
‑ Acetophenone (CAS 98‑86‑2)
Downstream end‑use sectors cover pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, coatings and advanced materials. Isopropyl alcohol is a general‑purpose basic industrial solvent.
Safety, Storage & Transportation
‑ UN Number: UN1219
‑ Hazard Class: Class 3 Flammable Liquid
‑ GHS Pictograms: GHS02 (Flammability), GHS07 (Irritation)
‑ Hazard Statements: H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour; H319 Causes serious eye irritation; H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
‑ Precautionary Statements: P210, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313, P403+P235
Storage: Store in cool, well‑ventilated warehouses. Keep away from heat sources, open flames and static electricity. Store separately from oxidising agents and strong acids. Keep containers tightly closed.
Transport: Classified as Class 3 flammable liquid. Transport shall comply with UN1219 regulations.
