Difference Between 2 Propanol and Isopropanol

The key difference between 2 propanol and isopropanol is that the 2 propanol is the IUPAC name for the compound having the chemical formula C₃H₈O whereas the isopropanol is the common name for the same compound.

Both terms name the same chemical compound that has the chemical formula C₃H₈O. Thus, it is an alcoholic compound having the hydroxyl functional group. Here, we will explain the reasons behind each name, in addition to the structure, properties, and uses of this compound,

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is 2 Propanol
3. What is Isopropanol
4. Side by Side Comparison – 2 Propanol vs Isopropanol in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is 2 Propanol?

2 propanol is the IUPAC name for the compound having the chemical formula C₃H₈O. Hence, 2 propanol is an alcohol that contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) as its functional group. It exists as a colourless liquid at room temperature, and it is highly flammable as well. Moreover, it also has a strong odour.

When considering the chemical structure, it has three carbon atoms as a chain, and the hydroxyl group attaches to the middle carbon while all the other vacant positions contain hydrogen atoms. It is thus, secondary alcohol and is a structural isomer to 1-propanol.

Some chemical and physical information about the compound are as follows;

• Molar mass is 60.1 g/mol.
• Appearance is colourless.
• The melting point is −89 °C.
• The boiling point is 82.6 °C.
• Miscible with water, ethanol, ether and chloroform.
• Becomes increasingly viscous with decreasing temperature.

What is Isopropanol?

Isopropanol is the common name for the compound having the chemical formula C₃H₈O. The IUPAC name of this compound is 2 propanol, and it is also common as isopropyl alcohol.

It derives the common name from its structure; the molecule is an alcohol, and it has an isopropyl group linked to a hydroxyl group that makes it a secondary alcohol.

What is the Difference Between 2 Propanol and Isopropanol?

Both terms 2 propanol and isopropanol describe the same chemical compound that has the chemical formula C₃H₈O; only the terminology is different from each other. Specifically, 2 propanol is the IUPAC name for the compound whereas isopropanol is the common name. Therefore, other than the application of the term, there is no difference between 2 propanol and isopropanol.

Furthermore, another common name that we use in day to day life is isopropyl alcohol. Though all three terms name the same chemical compound, they got their names according to the chemical structure of the compound. 2 propanol got its name because of the attachment of a hydroxyl group to the 2^nd carbon of a propane molecule. On the other hand, isopropanol or isopropyl alcohol got its name because of the linkage of an isopropyl group to a hydroxyl group.

The below infographic summarizes the difference between 2 propanol and isopropanol.

Summary – 2 Propanol vs Isopropanol

Both terms 2 propanol and isopropanol describe the same chemical compound. Thus,only the terminology is different. Hence, the key difference between 2 propanol and isopropanol is that the 2 propanol is the IUPAC name for the compound having the chemical formula C₃H₈O whereas the isopropanol is the common name for the same compound.

Reference:

1. “Isopropyl Alcohol.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Oct. 2018. Available here  

Image Courtesy:

1.”2-Propanol” By Yikrazuul – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia  
2.”40784845501″ by AJC1 (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr