Substance profile
Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor.
01 · Identification
What Isopropyl alcohol is
Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Its molecular formula is C3H8O and its molecular weight is 60.1 g/mol. It boils at 82.3 °C, melts at -87.9 °C, is very soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for Isopropyl alcohol
- IPA
- isopropanol
- rubbing alcohol
- 2-propanol
- Alcojel
- Alcosolve
- Alcosolve 2
- Autosept
- Avantin
- Avantine
- Chromar
- Combi-Schutz
- Dimethyl Carbinol
- Dimethylcarbinol
- Hartosol
- 2-Hydroxypropane
- propan-2-ol
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P264, P280, P305, P313, P337, P338, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Isopropyl alcohol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 82.3 °C (180.1 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 82.78 °C (181 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 82.5 °C (180.5 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -87.9 °C (-126.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -88.33 °C (-127 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -88.5 °C (-127.3 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.0008 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.79 g/cm³ | NIOSH | ||
| 0.7851 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, ether, chloroform; insoluble in salt solution | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in benzene | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with most organic solvents | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 33 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 33 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 45.4 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 12 °C (53.6 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB |
| 23.89 °C (75 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 11.67 °C (53 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 399 °C (750.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 398.89 °C (750 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 456 °C (852.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 12 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 12.7 % by volume | at 93.33 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.1 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.07 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | 90 mg/cu m | HSDB | |
| ... MIN CONCN WITH IDENTIFIABLE ODOR ... IS 200 PPM. | HSDB | ||
| Odor threshold 7.84 mg/cu m (low) 490 mg/cu m (high). | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 235.15 °C (455.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Isopropyl alcohol will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Isopropyl alcohol
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Store at room temperature in the original container. Sensitive to light. Store in light-resistant containers. Keep away from heat and sources of ignition. Store in a segrated and approved area. Store away from incompatible materials. /Isopropyl Alcohol, Reagent, ACS/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
During distillation of 2-propanol recovered from the reduction of crotonaldehyde with aluminium isopropoxide, a violent explosion occurred. This was attributed either to peroxidized diisopropyl ether (a possible by-product) or to peroxidized crotonaldehyde.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Isopropyl alcohol in the storage compatibility matrix →
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