Wednesday 13 June 2012

What are ethanol and isopropanol?


Ethanol is ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol and isopropanol is isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol.
  • When people talk about alcohol it usually means ethanol. Alcoholic drinks beers, wines and spirits contain ethanol. Methylated spirit and surgical spirit contain mainly ethanol, with a small amount of methanol. Ethanol is also an ingredient of some liquid medicines, mouthwashes, antiseptics, disinfectants, and cosmetics such as aftershaves, perfumes, and colognes. Alcohol abuse is common and chronic abuse can lead to dependence. People who try to poison themselves by taking large doses of medicine often take alcohol at the same time. Ethanol content of drinks and other products: Distilled spirits 40–50%; Wines 10–20%; Beers 2–10%; Mouthwashes up to 75% and Colognes 40–60%.
  • Isopropanol is used as a sterilizing agent and as rubbing alcohol, and is added to some antifreeze, car windscreen washes, window cleaners, aftershaves and disinfectants. Car windscreen washes may also contain methanol.

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