Approaching Chemistry: ethyl alcohol vs isopropyl alcohol

Disinfectants play a crucial role in maintaining hygiene and resisting pathogenic microorganisms. Ethyl alcohol vs isopropyl alcohol are widely used in disinfectants. What are the differences between them? Come and study with me.

Introduction of ethyl alcohol vs isopropyl alcohol

1.Ethyl alcohol

Alcohol is actually an organic molecule called ethyl alcohol. It is a colorless, clear liquid that is volatile and combustible at normal temperature and pressure. Its vapor may dissolve in water in any ratio and combine explosively with air. Its aqueous solution is mildly sweet, slightly irritating, and smells like wine. It is miscible with ether, chloroform, and the majority of other organic solvents.

It has a wide range of applications in the chemical industry, healthcare, food industry, agricultural production, and other fields. Ethyl alcohol is divided into superior, first, second, third, and fourth grades according to the grade of raw materials. The higher the level, the higher its purity and safety. The lower the level, the more impurities it contains.

Ethyl alcohol with a volume fraction of 70% -75% is also commonly used as a disinfectant in medicine, and has a wide range of applications in the national defense industry, medical and health, organic synthesis, food industry, and industrial and agricultural production. ethyl alcohol is a good solvent that can dissolve both inorganic and organic substances. Therefore, it is commonly used to dissolve plant pigments or medicinal components, and it is also commonly used as the solvent for the reaction to dissolve the organic and inorganic substances participating in the reaction, increase the contact area, and improve the reaction rate.

The consumption of alcohol production varies among different raw materials. Due to the high temperature and long time required for cellulose to be converted into sugar, the energy consumption of cellulose to produce alcohol is higher than that of starch saccharification. Therefore, from the perspective of energy consumption, starch-based raw materials have more advantages in producing alcohol.

2.Isopropyl alcohol

An organic substance, isopropyl alcohol is a colorless, flammable liquid that smells like a concoction of ethanol and acetone. It dissolves in water and most organic solvents, including ethers, alcohols, and chloroform. It is a significant chemical product and raw ingredient that is mostly utilized in the manufacturing of coatings, spices, and medications. In 2017, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization released a list of carcinogens, which included isopropanol in the list of Class 3 carcinogens.

3.Ethyl alcohol vs Isopropyl alcohol

Ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are all alcohol disinfectants, all of which are medium-effective disinfectants and have no killing effect on some hydrophilic viruses. Isopropyl alcohol is superior to ethyl alcohol in killing hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus. Various alcohols have no bactericidal effect on spores, so they are not recommended for sterilization of internal medicine and surgical instruments. Alcoholic disinfectants are suitable for disinfecting hands, skin, object surfaces, and diagnostic and therapeutic equipment (such as the surfaces of thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and precision instruments).

Applications of ethyl alcohol vs isopropyl alcohol 

1.Ethyl alcohol

75% ethyl alcohol solution, widely used for medical disinfection, is commonly used for medical disinfection. 95% alcohol is generally used for instrument disinfection. 70-75% alcohol is used for sterilization, for example, 75% alcohol can kill Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. Lower concentrations of alcohol are used to lower body temperature, promote local blood circulation, and so on.

However, research has shown that ethyl alcohol cannot kill bacterial spores or hepatitis viruses. Therefore, ethyl alcohol can only be used for general disinfection and cannot meet sterilization standards! ethyl alcohol can also be used for consumption, such as alcohol. It can also be used for corrosion prevention.

2.Isopropyl alcohol

Like ethanol alcohol, isopropyl alcohol is alcohol commonly used as the main component for external use. In many countries, the external use of alcohol is disinfectant alcohol. It is frequently used as a disinfectant in the medical industry, commonly by soaking cotton balls or gauze in water that has been diluted with 60–70% alcohol. Prior to an injection, it might cleanse the patient's skin. It is also a typical additive for gasoline that helps stop water from building up in fuel pipes and from freezing water that has been separated from fuel. It may be utilized in many different industrial settings. For example, in the printing sector, it is employed as a solvent and equipment cleanser.

Conclusion

Ethyl alcohol vs isopropyl alcohol, both can be used as disinfectants. The former is better at dehydrating human tissues than the latter, which makes the latter more appropriate for disinfecting skin.