Isopropyl Alcohol CAS 67-63-0
Chelora Chemicals supplies technical, pharmacopoeial and electronic grade isopropyl alcohol to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, coatings and electronics users worldwide. Every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA covering purity, water, acidity and non-volatile residue, the current SDS and full dangerous-goods documentation.
Also known as: IPA · Isopropanol · 2-Propanol · Propan-2-ol · Rubbing alcohol · Dimethyl carbinol
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for Isopropyl Alcohol, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (purity, water, acidity, residue)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and dangerous-goods documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is Isopropyl Alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol is the simplest secondary alcohol, C₃H₈O, a clear, volatile, flammable liquid boiling at 82.6 °C with a characteristic alcoholic odour. It is completely miscible with water.
It is made by hydrating propylene, either indirectly with sulphuric acid or directly over an acid catalyst, with a small share from acetone hydrogenation.
IPA sits in an unusual position: it is simultaneously a bulk industrial solvent, a pharmacopoeial excipient, a cosmetic ingredient, an electronics cleaning fluid and the active ingredient in most hand sanitiser.
Grade matters more than for most solvents because the applications span from printing press cleaning to injectable drug manufacture, with correspondingly different documentation.
Why IPA specifically
- Fast, clean evaporation. Leaves almost no residue, which is why it dominates electronics and precision cleaning.
- Effective disinfectant. At 70% in water it is among the most reliable and widely used surface and skin disinfectants.
- Water miscible with good solvency. Dissolves oils and resins while mixing freely with water, which few solvents manage.
- Low toxicity relative to methanol. Far safer than methanol in any application with human contact.
How Isopropyl Alcohol is Manufactured
IPA is made by hydrating propylene, with a secondary route from acetone hydrogenation.
- Propylene feed. Chemical or refinery grade propylene is the main feedstock.
- Indirect hydration. Propylene is absorbed in sulphuric acid to form esters, which are hydrolysed to IPA; the older route.
- Direct hydration. Propylene reacts with water over a solid acid or ion exchange catalyst, giving fewer effluent problems.
- Acetone hydrogenation. A secondary route hydrogenating acetone over a copper catalyst, used where acetone is long.
- Azeotrope breaking. IPA forms an azeotrope with water at about 87.7%, broken by azeotropic or extractive distillation.
- Purification. Final distillation and treatment deliver the purity, residue and odour the grade requires.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of commercial anhydrous IPA. USP, EP and electronic grades carry additional limits — tell us the use and we will send the matching sheet.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, free of suspended matter |
| IPA purity | 99.7% min by weight |
| Water content | 0.2% max |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | To grade, typically 20 ppm max |
| Non-volatile residue | To grade, typically 10 ppm max |
| Colour (Pt-Co) | 10 max |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.785 to 0.786 g/cm³ |
| Distillation range | Within 1 °C including 82.4 °C |
| Acetone | To grade, typically 50 ppm max |
| Peroxide value | To grade, typically 5 ppm max |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C₃H₈O ((CH₃)₂CHOH) |
| Molecular weight | 60.10 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, characteristic alcoholic odour |
| Boiling point | 82.6 °C |
| Melting point | −89 °C |
| Flash point | About 12 °C (closed cup) |
| Density | 0.785 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Vapour pressure | About 4.4 kPa at 20 °C |
| Vapour density (relative to air) | 2.1, heavier than air |
| Flammable limits in air | About 2 to 12.7% by volume |
| Autoignition temperature | About 399 °C |
| Solubility in water | Completely miscible |
| Azeotrope with water | 87.7% IPA, boiling at 80.4 °C |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidisers, acids, aluminium at high temperature, peroxide formers |
Behaviour in the process
IPA is easy to use, with two behaviours that matter in practice:
- Peroxide formation. Forms peroxides slowly on air exposure; old stock should be tested before distillation or evaporation.
- Water azeotrope. Cannot be dried beyond 87.7% by simple distillation, which is why anhydrous grades need special processing.
- Hygroscopic. Absorbs water from humid air, which matters where the water specification is tight.
- Disinfection optimum at 70%. Dilute IPA is a better disinfectant than the anhydrous product, because water is needed for protein denaturation.
IPA Grades and Alternative Solvents
IPA is bought by grade, and the grade is defined by residue and documentation rather than by headline purity.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Technical-grade IPA | 99.7%+ | Industrial cleaning, coatings, printing and general solvent use |
| USP / EP grade IPA | Pharmacopoeial certified | Pharmaceutical manufacture, sanitiser and cosmetic use |
| Electronic-grade IPA | Very low residue and particles | Semiconductor, display and precision optical cleaning |
| Ethanol | CAS 64-17-5 | Alternative disinfectant alcohol; subject to excise and denaturing rules |
| Acetone | CAS 67-64-1 | Faster evaporation and stronger solvency where substrate damage is not a concern |
Stated plainly: IPA and ethanol are close substitutes as disinfectants, and the choice usually turns on excise duty, denaturing requirements and local regulation rather than on efficacy.
Industries We Supply Isopropyl Alcohol To
IPA reaches pharmaceuticals, electronics, coatings, printing and consumer markets.
Where Isopropyl Alcohol is Used
Industrial solvent and cleaning uses take the largest IPA volumes, with pharmaceutical, sanitiser and electronics applications taking the premium grades.
As a disinfectant
IPA at around 70% in water is more effective than the anhydrous alcohol, because water is needed to denature microbial proteins and to slow evaporation enough for contact time. Pharmacopoeial or at least food-grade material should be used wherever there is skin contact, and documentation is normally required by the regulator.
In electronics cleaning
Electronic grade IPA is specified on non-volatile residue, particle count and trace metals rather than on purity alone, because invisible residue is what causes device failures. Filtered, high-purity material in dedicated packaging is a genuinely different product from technical grade in a drum.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, the grade, residue limit and documentation your application requires, the packing format you can receive and the annual quantity. We will come back with a price, a lead time, a sample COA and the full documentation set.
Quality Control & Testing
Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with residue and water reported alongside purity, and full pharmacopoeial testing for USP and EP grades.
- IPA purity and water content — by gas chromatography and Karl Fischer titration.
- Non-volatile residue — the critical figure for electronics and precision cleaning.
- Acidity — measured as a degradation and contamination indicator.
- Acetone and peroxide content — reported as the characteristic process and ageing impurities.
- Colour, odour and distillation range — confirming identity and freedom from contamination.
- Pharmacopoeial identity and purity tests — for USP and EP grades.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When IPA causes trouble, it is usually water pick-up, residue or grade mismatch. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Water content high on arrival | Hygroscopic pick-up or a wet transfer system | Water result, container seal and line dryness |
| Residue on cleaned surfaces | Non-volatile residue or contaminated equipment | Residue figure and electronics grade selection |
| Disinfection efficacy poor | Concentration too high — anhydrous IPA is less effective than 70% | Working concentration and contact time |
| QA rejection in a regulated chain | Pharmacopoeial documentation missing or incomplete | Grade certification and GMP declaration |
| Odour in a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product | Trace impurities or contamination in transfer | Odour test, residue and container history |
| Peroxide detected in old stock | Prolonged air exposure | Lot age, peroxide test and stock rotation |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. 200 L drums, 1000 L IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tank containers and bulk parcels.
- Storage. Cool, well-ventilated, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage away from ignition sources.
- Moisture control. IPA is hygroscopic; use dry breathers or nitrogen where the water specification is tight.
- Static control. Bond and earth all equipment and use bottom filling.
- Fire provision. Alcohol-resistant foam is required; standard foam is destroyed by water-miscible solvents.
- Dedicated equipment. For pharmaceutical and electronic grades, use dedicated lines and containers with cleaning records.
- Shelf life. Typically 24 months in sealed storage; peroxide formation limits very old stock.
- Transport classification. UN 1219, isopropanol, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II.
Hazards & Safe Handling
IPA is a highly flammable liquid with low systemic toxicity compared with methanol. Fire and vapour control dominate its handling, not health effects.
- Flammability. Flash point about 12 °C with a flammable range of roughly 2 to 12.7%. Vapour is heavier than air and travels to ignition sources.
- Low systemic toxicity. Far less toxic than methanol, though ingestion still causes central nervous system depression.
- Eye irritation. Causes serious eye irritation on contact; use eye protection during handling.
- Occupational exposure. Typical limits are around 200 to 400 ppm as an 8-hour average; confirm the limit in your jurisdiction.
- Narcotic effects. High vapour concentrations cause dizziness and drowsiness; ventilate enclosed spaces.
- Fire response. Alcohol-resistant foam is required; standard hydrocarbon foam breaks down on water-miscible alcohols.
- Skin defatting. Repeated contact dries and irritates skin; use gloves for prolonged handling.
- Environment. Readily biodegradable; contain spills to prevent oxygen depletion in watercourses.
Regulatory & Compliance Notes
IPA is widely traded with transport, pharmacopoeial and biocidal controls depending on use. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Flammable liquid Category 2, serious eye irritation Category 2 and STOT SE Category 3 for narcotic effects.
- Dangerous goods transport. UN 1219, Class 3, PG II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to packaging, labelling and routing.
- Pharmacopoeial grades. USP, EP, BP and JP monographs apply where IPA is used in pharmaceutical manufacture, including residual solvent limits.
- Biocidal regulation. Disinfectant and sanitiser products are regulated as biocidal products in the EU and equivalently elsewhere.
- Precursor controls. IPA is monitored as a chemical precursor in some jurisdictions, with end-use declarations requested.
- REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on the major chemical inventories.
We Supply Isopropyl Alcohol Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Isopropyl Alcohol from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.
- Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
- Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
- Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
- Flexible volumes. From a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
- Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.
Buying Isopropyl Alcohol from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For IPA that means settling three things at enquiry: the grade and documentation your application requires, the residue limit if the use is electronics or precision cleaning, and the packing format for your receiving setup.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (purity, water, acidity, residue), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
- Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
- Quantities. From a pallet of drums through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
- Grade matching. Technical, USP, EP or electronic grade IPA to the water, residue and documentation requirements of your application.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Acetone, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Ethyl Acetate and other feedstocks alongside Isopropyl Alcohol from one supplier.
How ordering works
- Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
- We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
- Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
- Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
- Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
- Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.
Isopropyl Alcohol — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about Isopropyl Alcohol. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of isopropyl alcohol?
The CAS number for IPA is 67-63-0, and its EC number is 200-661-7. Its molecular formula is C₃H₈O with a molecular weight of 60.10 g/mol, and it is classified under HS code 2905.12.
What is IPA used for?
As a disinfectant and sanitiser at around 70%, for electronics and precision cleaning, in pharmaceutical synthesis and cleaning, as a solvent in coatings, printing and cosmetics, and for industrial degreasing.
Do you supply IPA worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports IPA worldwide — across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, as well as throughout India, in technical, pharmacopoeial and electronic grades.
Why is 70% IPA a better disinfectant than 99%?
Because water is needed to denature microbial proteins and to slow evaporation enough to give adequate contact time. Anhydrous IPA evaporates before it can act, so the diluted product is genuinely more effective.
How is IPA manufactured?
By hydrating propylene, either indirectly through sulphuric acid esters or directly over a solid acid catalyst, with a smaller share from acetone hydrogenation. The water azeotrope at 87.7% must then be broken to reach anhydrous grades.
What is electronic grade IPA?
A separate product specified on non-volatile residue, particle count and trace metals rather than purity alone, filtered and supplied in dedicated packaging. Invisible residue that is harmless in a coating causes device failures on a wafer.
Is IPA hazardous?
It is a highly flammable liquid with a flash point around 12 °C, which is the main hazard. Its systemic toxicity is low compared with methanol, though ingestion causes central nervous system depression and the vapour is a narcotic at high concentration.
What are the UN number and transport class?
UN 1219, isopropanol, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to packaging, labelling and routing.
Why does IPA need alcohol-resistant foam?
Because it is fully miscible with water and destroys the aqueous film in standard foam concentrates. Only alcohol-resistant foam forms a stable blanket on an IPA fire.
What is the difference between IPA and ethanol for disinfection?
Both are effective at around 70%. The choice usually turns on excise duty, denaturing requirements and local regulation rather than efficacy, since ethanol is subject to alcohol duty regimes that IPA is not.
Can IPA be dried beyond 99%?
Yes, but not by simple distillation, because IPA forms an azeotrope with water at 87.7%. Azeotropic or extractive distillation, or molecular sieve drying, is needed to reach anhydrous grades.
What packing sizes are available?
200 L drums, 1000 L IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tank containers and bulk parcels. Orders run from a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk cargoes on contract supply.
Ready to source Isopropyl Alcohol?
Send us your specification, grade and annual volume. You will get a price, a realistic lead time and a sample COA from someone who understands what the material has to do in your process — delivered anywhere in the world.