Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

Buy Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) when you need it, in the amount you need—from rail car to cases

Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) CAS No. 67-63-0 also known as Isopropanol or 2-Propanol is a clear, colorless, volatile material with a mild odor and a relatively low toxicity compared to alternate solvents.   As a chemical compound with the common formula C₃H₈O, its characteristics allow its use for a variety of applications. IPA is miscible in water, alcohol, and most organic solvents. It will dissolve substances such as cellulose; natural resins; oils and gums; alkaloids.

Univar Solutions is one of the largest IPA distributors in the United States with on-site storage of the product in up to 60 locations throughout the country. We sell USP and industrial grade IPA made from both acetone and propylene. Considering we source in rail car quantities from at least five different suppliers, we can offer our customers security of supply at competitive costs even in times of high demand.

• Industrial Grade Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
• USP Grade Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
• USP Kosher Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
• Pharmaceutical Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

• Fast evaporation rate
• Solvency power
• Low impurities
• Mild odor
• Flammable
• Non-HAP (Hazardous Air Pollutant)
• Low photochemical reactivity

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How is IPA Made?

Isopropyl Alcohol is made in various ways.

The indirect hydration process is based on a two-step reaction of propylene and sulfuric acid.  The acid-catalyzed direct hydration of propylene has three basic processes of commercial operation:

• Vapor-phase hydration over a fixed-bed catalyst of supported phosphoric acid or silica-supported tungsten oxide with zinc oxide promoter
• Mixed vapor-liquid-phase hydration at low temperature and high pressure using a strongly acid cation exchange catalyst
• Liquid-phase hydration at high temperature and high pressure in the presence of a soluble tungsten catalyst

• Liquid phase oxidation of propane
• By the reductive condensation of acetone
• Fermentation