Propyl alcohol is widely used in various industries. It is used as a solvent in the paint and varnish industry, an intermediate in chemistry, an additive for the production of gasoline. Propyl alcohol is popular in pharmacology because of the low toxicity of its residues. Acetone and cumene, isopropylbenzene, are obtained from this chemical. Recently, propyl alcohol has been used in everyday life and cosmetology.
Propyl alcohol properties
Propyl alcohol is a good solvent for oil, resin, rubber, cellulose. Alcohol itself dissolves in ether, other alcohols, water, chloroform. It does not interact with salt solutions. By adding table salt, alcohol is isolated from an aqueous solution, since it dissolves poorly in physiological solution and well in salt-free water. This process is called salting. It is produced for the purpose of dissociation of propyl alcohol into layers. As a result of the interaction of water and propyl alcohol, a mixture is formed that has a low melting point and a bitter taste. The viscosity of propyl alcohol increases with decreasing temperature. If the temperature drops below -70 ° C, its consistency becomes similar to that of maple syrup. Propyl alcohol is oxidized to acetone and interacts with active metals.
Propyl alcohol use
One of the most significant functions of propyl alcohol is its ability to dissolve various non-polar mixtures. Compared to alternative solvents, it evaporates quickly and is less toxic. Propyl alcohol is used as a cleaning agent and solvent for oils. Examples of such uses include cleaning contact connectors, electronic devices, disk heads, magnetic tapes, laser lenses, and removing thermal paste from cases and radiators of industrial units.
Propyl alcohol is used to clean LCD monitors, keyboards, laptops, glass screens. It is an alternative to many household cleaning products and gives shine to worn and used non-vinyl records. This chemical cannot be used to clean vinyl, as its alkaline reaction will damage and even completely remove the plasticizer, causing the vinyl to harden.
Propyl alcohol removes glue residue from sticky stickers and oil and oil stains from cotton, wood and some fabrics. Alcohol is used to prepare surfaces for repainting. It is a humectant in lithographic printing and a solvent for French polish in furniture production.
In medicine, propyl alcohol is used to prepare disinfectant tampons or a solution for hand disinfection. It is a desiccant and preventive measure for otitis externa, which is known as swimmer's ear.
In the automotive industry, propyl alcohol is a fuel additive that removes water from gasoline. Water is unacceptable in the fuel tank because, once separated from the gasoline, it quickly freezes when the temperature drops. Water dissolved in alcohol does not accumulate in the fuel supply lines and does not freeze. Also, propyl alcohol is part of aerosols used to protect the windshield from icing.
