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isopropanol

isopropanol

1 7.0
A flammable alcohol used for cleaning and killing germs
  • noun
  • /ˌaɪsəˈproʊpəˌnɔl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : isopropanol
  • isopropanol is commonly used as a disinfectant because it effectively kills bacteria and viruses.

Examples

  • So we'll sort of turn our efforts up a little bit here and we'll go to the isopropanol and see how this does.

  • Alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol); 60 to 90%; B, V, F; nonstaining, nonirritating; inactivated by organic matter, highly flammable.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Sections were then air-dried, fixed with formalin, and stained with Oil Red O in 60% isopropanol to observe lipid deposition.

    Blog text (6)
  • The Dutch turned them down, as ICI had, but they still bought two uncontrolled chemicals at that time: dimethylamine for making Tabun and isopropanol for Sarin.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Formazan crystals were solubilized in 10% Triton X-100 and 0.1 N HCl in anhydrous isopropanol after repeated pipetting.

    Academic text (2016)
  • You can use isopropanol to clean the glass surfaces in your home for a streak-free shine.

  • For a quick hand sanitizer, mix aloe vera gel with isopropanol to create an effective topical solution.

Synonyms

rubbing alcohol
vsisopropanol
  • US
6 3.4

A liquid used on skin or surfaces to kill germs and clean

is the pure chemical solvent used broadly, not only as an external antiseptic
isopropyl alcohol
vsisopropanol
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A clear liquid that burns easily and cleans skin, kills germs, and removes grease

has identical meaning but is the preferred chemical name

Surface Forms

isopropanol singular
isopropanols plural

Morphology

isopropanol = propanol (opaque) = iso + prop + anol

The prefix 'iso-' indicates a specific isomeric form, but the overall meaning is not transparent to learners without chemical knowledge.

Etymology

Isopropanol breaks into iso- (a part meaning 'same'), propane (the fuel gas you may know), and the ending -ol ('alcohol'). So isopropanol is an alcohol from the propane family with a slightly different shape, which helps explain why it dries fast, can catch fire, and works well as a cleaning liquid and rubbing alcohol.