[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of isopropanol, and what isopropanol is used.

Isopropanol Properties

Isopropyl alcohol (Isopropanol), the chemical formula of Cover H≡O, is a common organic compound. It is a secondary alcohol with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the middle carbon atom in the molecule. Isopropanol is a colorless, volatile liquid with a typical alcohol odor. It has a boiling point of about 82.6°C, a flash point of 11.7°C, and an auto-ignition temperature of 399°C. Its water solubility is good, and water can be any proportion of miscible, but also with ethanol, ether and other organic solvents miscible. With a density of 0.786g/cm³, isopropanol is moderately toxic and irritating to human skin and mucous membranes.

Isopropyl alcohol use

Isopropyl alcohol is widely used in industry, medicine, cosmetics and other fields. As a solvent, it is widely used in the dissolution and cleaning of grease, resin, rubber, paint, coating and ink. Due to its good volatility and solubility, isopropyl alcohol is often used for cleaning electronic products and wiping optical instruments. In the field of medicine, isopropyl alcohol is an important disinfectant and antiseptic, which is widely used in hospitals and laboratories for surface disinfection and skin disinfection before surgery. In the cosmetics industry, isopropyl alcohol is often used as a formulation ingredient in perfumes, hair gels and skin care products. Isopropanol is also an important intermediate for the manufacture of acetaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone and other chemical products.

Upstream raw materials

The main raw materials for the production of isopropanol are propylene and water. Industrially, isopropanol is usually prepared by hydration of propylene. The method includes two processes: indirect hydration and direct hydration. The indirect hydration method generates isopropyl hydrogen sulfate by the reaction of propylene and water catalyzed by sulfuric acid, and then hydrolyzes to generate isopropyl alcohol; the direct hydration method uses an acidic catalyst to directly react propylene and water to generate isopropyl alcohol at high temperature and high pressure. Propylene, usually derived from petroleum cracking or propane dehydrogenation processes, is one of the major cost factors in the production of isopropanol.

Downstream Products

Isopropanol plays an important role as an intermediate in the production of many chemical products. Its downstream products include acetone, isopropyl ether, isopropylamine, etc. Acetone is an important raw material for the production of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and bisphenol A(BPA) and is widely used in the plastics and resin industries. As a solvent and extractant, isopropyl ether is mainly used in pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry. Isopropylamine is an important component of pesticide, medicine and dye intermediates. Isopropyl alcohol is also used in the production of acetaldehyde, acetic acid and other chemical raw materials, widely used in medicine, pesticides, dyes, spices and other industries.

Production process

The production process of isopropanol mainly includes indirect hydration method and direct hydration method. The process of indirect hydration is more complex, and the main steps include the reaction of propylene with sulfuric acid to generate isopropyl hydrogen sulfate, and then the hydrolysis reaction to generate isopropyl alcohol. The direct hydration method is relatively simple. Propylene reacts directly with water in the presence of an acidic catalyst to form isopropanol. The advantages of direct hydration method are short process, mild reaction conditions and few by-products, but the choice of catalyst is higher. Most modern factories use direct water to produce isopropanol legally to improve production efficiency and product purity.

market demand and supply

The global market demand for isopropyl alcohol is growing steadily, mainly driven by the continued development of the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, electronics and coatings industries. Especially in the disinfectant and cleaning agent market, the demand for isopropanol has been significantly driven by public health events such as outbreaks. Asia, North America and Europe are the main consumer markets for isopropanol, with China and the United States accounting for the largest market share. On the supply side, major manufacturers include large multinational companies such as Dow Chemical, DuPont, LG Chemical and Toray. These companies actively respond to changes in market demand through technological innovation and capacity expansion.

Environment and Safety

The production and use of isopropanol requires attention to environmental protection and safety management. As a volatile and flammable liquid, isopropanol needs to be strictly controlled in temperature and ventilation during storage and transportation to avoid fire sources and high temperature environments. Its leakage and volatilization may have an impact on the environment, so it is necessary to take effective protective measures in the process of production and use to ensure the proper treatment of waste gas and waste liquid. Workers should wear protective equipment when handling isopropyl alcohol to avoid skin contact and inhalation of vapors to reduce health risks.

Storage method

The storage of isopropyl alcohol is subject to strict safety regulations. Should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated warehouse, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment. Storage containers shall be well sealed and made of materials that are resistant to corrosion and do not react with isopropyl alcohol. Commonly used storage containers include steel or aluminum drums and cans. The warehouse shall be equipped with appropriate fire extinguishing equipment, such as dry powder fire extinguishers or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers. Isopropyl alcohol should be stored separately from oxidants, acids and combustibles to prevent chemical reaction or fire. The storage area shall have obvious signs and fire prevention facilities to ensure that emergency measures can be taken quickly in the event of an accident.

Regulations and Standards

The production, storage and use of isopropanol is regulated by a number of international and national regulations. According to the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, isopropyl alcohol is classified as a flammable liquid and needs to be packaged and marked in accordance with the regulations on the transport of dangerous goods during transport. In Europe and the United States and other countries, the use and discharge of isopropyl alcohol are strictly controlled by environmental protection regulations, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act of the United States. Occupational safety and health management regulations shall be followed during production and use to ensure the health and safety of workers.

future development

With the global emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development, the isopropanol industry is facing new challenges and opportunities. The development of green chemistry and clean production technology will promote the continuous improvement and upgrading of isopropanol production process. As a new type of green chemical raw material, bio-based isopropanol has great market potential. In the future, the isopropanol industry will further develop in the direction of high efficiency, green and intelligent to meet the changing market demand and environmental requirements.

As an important organic chemical product, isopropanol plays an important role in many industries. By continuously optimizing the production process and strengthening safety management, the economic and social benefits can be maximized.