Quote:
Originally Posted by clop
What is this obsession with isopropanol? Why doesn't anyone use propan-1-ol? Is isopropanol easier and/or cheaper to make? Does it dissolve more stuff? Does it sterilise things better? Is it less toxic? Does it evaporate quicker or slower? Is there a non-trivial reason for the use of propan-2-ol over 1-ol or am I just wondering about all this for nothing?
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Easier to make.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoprop...hol#Production
"These processes give predominantly isopropyl alcohol rather than 1-propanol because the addition of water or sulfuric acid to propylene follows Markovnikov's rule."