Isopropyl alcohol represents colourless, flammable liquid with a strong smell. Its chemical formula - C3H8O, or C3H7OH. On scientific terminology, it is the most plain one-atomic alcohol of an aliphatic row, that is with distribution of atoms of carbon in the form of a chain. Isopropyl alcohol finds a wide range of application in medicine, the industry and a household.
Receiving and use of isopropyl alcohol
For the first time isopropyl alcohol was manufactured in 1920 in the USA. Scientists from the laboratory of the city of Linden of State of New Jersey belonging to the Standart Oil company, and after Exxon, tried to receive useful substances from oil distillation by-products. They by hydration of propylene emitted the isopropyl alcohol which became the first, commercially used chemical made of oil. Today isopropanol is produced also by an acetone hydrogenation method hydrogen.
Isopropyl alcohol - good solvent is also often applied in life. They can delete spots from glue or the dried-up ink on the majority of natural fibers, including on cotton and silk. It is used for cleaning of dirt computer keyboards and mice. Isopropanol evaporates almost at once therefore the risk of damage of electric components is minimum. They can also clean laser CDs and DVDs disks.
Isopropyl alcohol is an important component of some additives to automobile fuel intended for prevention of emergence of water in fuel-supply lines. It is sprayed on windshields to kindle ice savings. Use isopropyl alcohol also by production of paint, for cleaning of the high-precision printing equipment as antiseptics and disinfecting substance in medicine, as preservative for biological samples in laboratories and in many other spheres.
Security concerns
In spite of the fact that isopropyl alcohol is often used in house conditions, this not harmless substance. It easily ignites and can light up from a spark or naked flame. It is possible to get poisoned with isopropanol, having drunk it and to them having inhaled. Medicines for house use usually are produced with concentration no more than 70% and they are less toxic, than pure isopropanol, nevertheless during the work with them it is necessary to observe precautionary measures. Pure isopropyl alcohol is considered toxic substance, though not such strong as, for example, methanol or ethylene glycol. Poisoning with isopropanol can cause dizziness, a headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness and a coma. If in due time not to ask for medical care, consequences can be the most sad because of the oppressing effect of substance on the central nervous system. Long-term effects of influence of this alcohol are not up to the end studied. Many solvents increase risk of diseases of a liver and kidneys, in extreme cases cause damages of a brain and nervous system. But rather isopropyl alcohol of such data it is not revealed yet. Some health workers suspect risk of development of cancer from long influence of isopropanol, however finally connection is not established.