Isopropyl vs Ethanol
Organic molecules are molecules that consist of carbons. Organic molecules are the most abundant molecule in living things on this planet. Main organic molecules in living things include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Nucleic acids like DNA contain genetic information of organisms. Carbon compounds like proteins make structural components of our bodies, and they make up enzymes which catalyze all the metabolic functions. There is evidence to prove that carbonic molecules like methane existed in the atmosphere even several billion years ago. Not only we are made up of organic molecules, but there are many types of organic molecules around us too which we use every day for different purposes.
The clothes we wear are composed of either natural or synthetic organic molecules. Many of the materials in our houses are also organic. Gasoline, which gives energy to automobiles and other machines, is organic. Most of the medicine we take, pesticides, and insecticides are composed of organic molecules. Thus, organic molecules are associated with nearly every aspect of our lives. Therefore, a separate subject as organic chemistry has evolved to learn about these compounds. Organic molecules are broadly categorized as aliphatic and aromatic compounds. They can also be categorized as branches or unbranched. Another categorization is based on the type of functional groups they have. In this categorization, organic molecules are divided to alkanes, alkenes, alkyne, alcohols, ether, amine, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, ester, amide and haloalkanes.
Isopropyl
Propyl group is a hydrocarbon group with three carbon atoms. It has seven hydrogen atoms connected to carbon atoms, and the whole group is a substituent of an organic molecule. Propyl has the formula of –CH2 CH2 CH3. Isopropyl has the same formula, but the connectivity is bit different. So it is like a constitutional isomeric form of the propyl group. Isopropyl has the following structure.
In IUPAC nomenclature, it is named as propan-2-yl. Isopropyl group is not stable alone. It is connected with another part and forms a complete and stable molecule. For example, isopropyl alcohol can be taken.
Ethanol
Ethanol is a simple alcohol with the molecular formula of C2H5OH. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic odor. Furthermore, ethanol is a flammable liquid. Melting point of ethanol is -114.1 oC, and the boiling point is 78.5 oC. Ethanol is polar due to the electronegativity difference between the oxygen and hydrogen in the –OH group. Also, due to –OH group, it has the ability to form hydrogen bonds.
Ethanol is used as a beverage. According to the ethanol percentage, there are different types of beverages such as wine, beer, whiskey, brandy, arrack, etc. Ethanol can be easily obtained by the sugar fermentation process using zymase enzyme. This enzyme naturally presents in yeast, so in the anaerobic respiration, yeast can produce ethanol. Ethanol is toxic to the body, and it is converted to acetaldehyde in the liver, which is also toxic. Other than a beverage ethanol can be used as an antiseptic to clean surfaces from microorganisms, and it is mainly used as a fuel and a fuel additive in vehicles. Ethanol is miscible with water, and also it serves as a good solvent.
Isopropyl vs Ethanol
- Ethanol is an organic molecule and isopropyl is only a part of organic molecule.
- Ethanol is stable, and isopropyl is not stable.
- Isopropyl has three carbon atoms, and ethanol has only two carbon atoms.
- Isopropyl is a hydrocarbon. In ethanol, there is an oxygen atom instead of hydrogen and carbon.