Propan-2-ol
A secondary alcohol that oxidises to propanone.
- Formula
- C3H8O
- Functional group
- Secondary alcohols; Methyl secondary alcohols
- Molar mass
- 60.1 g/mol
- Also known as
- Isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol, 2-Propanol, 2-Hydroxypropane, Dimethylcarbinol, sec-Propyl alcohol
Overview
A secondary alcohol that oxidises to propanone.
Propan-1-ol oxidises to an aldehyde; propan-2-ol oxidises to a ketone. Moving OH changes its local bonding environment.
Identifiers
- Formula
- C3H8O
- Functional group
- Secondary alcohols; Methyl secondary alcohols
- Molar mass
- 60.1 g/mol
- Also known as
- Isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol, 2-Propanol, 2-Hydroxypropane, Dimethylcarbinol, sec-Propyl alcohol
Chemical identifiers
- SMILES
- CC(C)O
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C3H8O/c1-3(2)4/h3-4H,1-2H3
- PubChem CID
- 3776
Properties
- Melting Point
- -87.9 °C
- Boiling Point
- 82.3 °C at 760 mm Hg
- Relative density (water = 1)
- Relative density (water = 1): 0.79
- Water solubility
- In water, infinitely soluble at 25 °C
Diagnostic tests
Iodoform structural-group test
- Reagent
- iodine in aqueous alkali
- Conditions
- Use the referenced small-scale alcohol comparison.
- Positive observation
- Pale yellow iodoform precipitate forms.
- Negative observation
- No yellow precipitate with a suitable nonreacting alcohol control.
- Interpretation
- Oxidation first gives propanone, which contains the required methyl-ketone group.
- Scope
- Expected positive for propan-2-ol.
- Limitations
- Ethanol and other suitable methyl secondary alcohols also respond; a positive result is not unique.
- Evidence
- reference experiment
Related compounds
- Alcohols
A secondary alcohol that oxidises to propanone.
- Secondary alcohols
A secondary alcohol that oxidises to propanone.
- Methyl secondary alcohols
A secondary alcohol that oxidises to propanone.
Connected reactions
- Oxidation: Propan-2-ol → Propanone
Propan-2-ol is oxidised to propanone.
- Reduction: Propanone → Propan-2-ol
Propanone is reduced to propan-2-ol.
- Hydration: Propene → Propan-2-ol
Propene gives propan-2-ol through hydration.
- Hydrolysis: 2-Bromopropane → Propan-2-ol
Replacing the carbon-bromine bond with carbon-oxygen bonding produces propan-2-ol. Its central carbon remains secondary, explaining its subsequent oxidation to propanone.
References
- PubChem Compound Summary: Propan-2-ol (CID 3776)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Oxidation of alcoholsJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023
Supports the qualitative structural interpretation of the recorded molecular structure; no new physical measurement or verified preparative yield is claimed.
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Propan-2-ol — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3776#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 91st ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 2010-2011, p. 3-442
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Propan-2-ol — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3776#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 91st ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 2010-2011, p. 3-442
- ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs): Propan-2-ol — densityILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3776#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred.
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Propan-2-ol — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3776#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Riddick, J.A., W.B. Bunger, Sakano T.K. Techniques of Chemistry 4th ed., Volume II. Organic Solvents. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons., 1985., p. 196
- A test to distinguish between ethanol and methanolRoyal Society of Chemistry · RSC Education
Source-supported qualitative reference observations.