Isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol, or propan-2-ol, is a colorless, flammable secondary alcohol used as a solvent, disinfectant, and cleaning agent.

Rubbing alcohol: A topical antiseptic preparation commonly made from isopropyl alcohol or ethanol diluted with water. Household rubbing alcohol is a familiar formulation of isopropyl alcohol, not necessarily pure alcohol.
Alcohol: An organic compound containing a hydroxyl group bonded to a saturated carbon atom. Isopropyl alcohol belongs to this chemical family and shares its hydroxyl group's polarity.
Propan-2-ol: The systematic IUPAC name for the three-carbon alcohol with its hydroxyl group on carbon two. This systematic name identifies the same molecule called isopropyl alcohol.
Methanol: The simplest alcohol, consisting of one carbon atom bonded to a hydroxyl group. Methanol is far more toxic if ingested and must not be mistaken for isopropyl alcohol.
Flammability: The ability of a material to ignite and sustain combustion under specified conditions. Isopropyl alcohol's vapors ignite readily, making ignition control essential during use and storage.
Hand sanitizer: A liquid, gel, or foam applied to hands to reduce microorganisms, commonly using alcohol as its active ingredient. Isopropyl alcohol can serve as the antimicrobial active ingredient in alcohol-based hand products.
Secondary alcohol: An alcohol whose hydroxyl-bearing carbon is bonded to two other carbon atoms. Its central hydroxyl-bearing carbon makes isopropyl alcohol a defining example of this class.
Structural formula: A representation showing how atoms are connected within a molecule. The structure CH₃CHOHCH₃ shows why isopropyl alcohol is a secondary alcohol.
Ethylene glycol: A colorless diol used chiefly in antifreeze and polyester production, toxic if swallowed. It is another clear, potentially hazardous liquid, but it is not a disinfecting alcohol.
Flash point: The lowest temperature at which a liquid emits enough vapor to ignite briefly near its surface. Its low flash point signals fire risk even at ordinary indoor temperatures.

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