Isopropanol (IPA)

About This Product

Isopropanol, also called isopropyl alcohol, IPA or propan-2-ol (CAS 67-63-0, EC 200-661-7, formula C3H8O), is a clear, colourless, volatile liquid with a sharp alcoholic odour. It boils at about 82 °C and mixes fully with water and most organic solvents. It is made mainly by hydrating propylene, either directly or through a sulfuric acid process, and to a lesser extent by hydrogenating acetone. The listed product is 99.9% minimum, the high-purity anhydrous grade that serves as the reference quality for cleaning and process use. Its usefulness comes from a balance of properties. IPA dissolves oils, fluxes, many resins and a wide range of organic compounds, evaporates quickly without leaving residue and is much less toxic than methanol. At 99.9% it is the standard wipe and rinse solvent for electronics, optics and precision cleaning, where water and non-volatile residue would leave marks or cause corrosion. For disinfection the logic reverses: solutions of about 70% work better than the pure alcohol, because water helps denature proteins and slows evaporation, so sanitiser makers dilute high-purity IPA to the strength they need. IPA is used in electronics and precision cleaning, pharmaceutical synthesis and extraction, disinfectant and sanitiser production, printing inks, coatings and thinners, and cosmetics and personal care. It is also a chemical intermediate for isopropyl esters, amines and other derivatives, and it is used as an extraction and crystallisation solvent in fine chemicals. Pharmacopoeia and electronic grades are separate products with tighter limits and additional tests; confirm the grade for regulated or ultra-clean uses. The parameters buyers agree are purity by gas chromatography, water by Karl Fischer, colour on the Pt-Co scale, acidity as acetic acid, non-volatile residue, density at 20 °C and sometimes distillation range. Water and non-volatile residue matter most for cleaning; acidity and impurities matter for synthesis. Agree the limits in writing and check every certificate of analysis. Isopropanol is classified under CLP as a highly flammable liquid and vapour (H225) that causes serious eye irritation (H319) and whose vapour may cause drowsiness or dizziness (H336). It is transported as UN1219, ISOPROPANOL, Class 3, packing group II; confirm the details against section 14 of the safety data sheet. It is a registered substance under EU REACH; an importer into the EU or Great Britain should confirm which REACH or UK REACH registration covers the import and use. Some countries also control alcohols by excise or licensing rules, so check the destination requirements. Store IPA in closed, earthed containers in a cool, well-ventilated flammable-liquids store, away from ignition sources, oxidisers and direct sunlight. Bond and earth drums and tanks during transfer, and use explosion-protected equipment where vapour may accumulate. When you enquire, state the grade and purity, the limits for water, acidity and residue, the application, the pack format (160 kg drum or ISO tank), your volumes, the destination and your Incoterms.