The key difference between acetone and isopropyl alcohol is that acetone has a C=O bond in the middle of the chemical structure, whereas isopropyl alcohol has a C-OH group in the middle of the chemical structure.
Acetone and isopropyl alcohol have closely similar structures; both these compounds have three carbon atoms per molecule, and there are substitutions at the middle carbon. The substituted group at the middle carbon are different from each other; acetone has an oxo-group while isopropyl alcohol has a hydroxyl group.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Acetone
3. What is Isopropyl Alcohol
4. Side by Side Comparison – Acetone vs Isopropyl Alcohol in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Acetone?
Acetone is an organic compound having the chemical formula (CH3)2CO. This substance appears as a colourless and flammable liquid that is highly volatile. Acetone is the simplest and smallest compound among ketones. The molar mass is 58 g/mol. This compound has a pungent, irritating odour and is miscible with water. Acetone is common as a polar solvent. The polarity comes due to the high electronegativity difference between carbon and oxygen atoms of the carbonyl group. However, it is not that highly polar; therefore, acetone can dissolve both lipophilic and hydrophilic substances.
Figure 01: Chemical Structure of Acetone
Our body can produce acetone in normal metabolic processes, and it is eliminated from the body through different mechanisms. On the industrial scale, the production method includes direct or indirect production from propylene. The common process is the cumene process.
What is Isopropyl Alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol or 2-propanol is an alcohol having the molecular formula C3H8O. This compound has the same molecular formula as propanol. The molecular weight is around 60 g mol-1. Therefore, we can say that isopropyl alcohol is an isomer of propanol. There is a hydroxyl group in this molecule which is attached to the second carbon atom in the carbon chain. This attachment makes it a secondary alcohol. Therefore, it undergoes all the reactions typical to a secondary alcohol.
Figure 02: Chemical Structure of Isopropyl Alcohol
Further, the melting point of isopropyl alcohol is -88oC, while the boiling point is 83oC. This liquid is miscible with water and is stable under normal conditions. Isopropyl alcohol is a colourless, clear, and flammable liquid. Moreover, it oxidizes violently to produce acetone. When considering the applications of this alcohol, it is useful as a solvent and used in pharmaceuticals, household products, and personal care products. We can also use it to make other chemicals.
What is the Difference Between Acetone and Isopropyl Alcohol?
Acetone and isopropyl alcohol have closely similar structures; both these compounds have three carbon atoms per molecule, and there are substitutions at the middle carbon. The key difference between acetone and isopropyl alcohol is that acetone has a C=O bond in the middle of the chemical structure, whereas isopropyl alcohol has a C-OH group in the middle of the chemical structure.
The below infographic lists the main differences between acetone and isopropyl alcohol in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Acetone vs Isopropyl Alcohol
The substituted groups at the middle carbon of acetone and isopropyl alcohol are different from each other; acetone has an oxo-group while isopropyl alcohol has a hydroxyl group. The key difference between acetone and isopropyl alcohol is that acetone has a C=O bond in the middle of the chemical structure, whereas isopropyl alcohol has a C-OH group in the middle of the chemical structure.
Reference:
1. Helmenstine, Anne Marie. “The Chemical Composition of Rubbing Alcohol.” ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Acetone-2D-skeletal” By Fvasconcellos – Vector version of File:Acetone-2D-skeletal.png by Ben Mills (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “2-Propanol” By Yikrazuul – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia