Isopropyl alcohol, absolute 

Absolute isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) is a clear, colorless liquid with a pungent characteristic odor and a mild bitter taste, typical of alcohols with a short hydrocarbon chain.

Isopropyl alcohol is used as a substitute for ethyl alcohol in medicine (recently it is very active, since it is not inferior in antiseptic activity to ethanol), in cosmetics, perfumery, household chemicals, fluids for cars (mainly windscreen washers, as well as antifreezes), for medical purposes , in means for cleaning glass, office equipment and as a solvent for organic substances in industry.

70% isopropanol in water is used as a hand sanitizer. Water facilitates the penetration of bacteria through the cell membranes, thus ensuring higher efficiency and better decontamination.

Isopropyl alcohol is also used as a raw material for the synthesis:

- acetone (by dehydrogenation or incomplete oxidation);
- hydrogen peroxide;
- methyl isobutyl ketone;
- isopropyl acetate;
- isopropylamine.

Due to special government regulations for ethanol, isopropyl alcohol is often a substitute for ethanol in many applications. So, isopropanol is part of:

- cosmetics;
- perfumery;
- household chemicals;
- disinfectants;
- means for cars (antifreeze, a solvent in winter windscreen washers);
- repellents;
- washing of printed circuit boards after soldering with flux, sold under the name "Universal cleaner".

Isopropyl alcohol is used in industry, when cutting aluminum, turning, milling and other works. Mixed with oil, it can significantly increase work productivity. Isopropyl alcohol is used as a reference standard in gas chromatography (for example, when testing drugs for residual organic solvents). It is often used in optical fiber splicing to clean the fiber before splitting. It is also used in the maintenance of office equipment, in particular for cleaning the surfaces of photoconductors of laser printers.