Uses of Propanol: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Propanol is a colourless liquid and categorized as a primary type of alcohol. The chemical formula of propanol is CH3CH2CH2OH. Gustave C.B. discovered propanol in 1853. Propanol is an essential part of fusel oil. By catalytic hydrogenation of propionaldehyde, propanol is formed. During fermentation, it can form naturally. In chemical and pharmaceutical industries, propanol is widely used for resins and cellular esters. Propanol can be easily converted into alkyl halides and can help in the determination of primary alcohol reactions.

Some other common names of propanol are n-propanol, 1-propyl alcohol, propane-1-ol, n-propyl alcohol.

Propanol can be used in a variety of ways that are explained as follows:

1. Medical Use: The use of propanol in medicines is widespread. Propanol is used in the manufacturing of hand sanitisers (liquids and wipes) and antiseptics. 

     Nebulizers often replace ethanol with propanol for the production of inhalant products. N-Propanol is used in the making of pain relief medications and sprays. Propanol tablets are widely used for the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardias, etc.

2. Food: Propanol can be used in foodstuffs and non-alcoholic beverages like raw milk, orange juice, soy sauce, fish oil, tomato paste, endive, etc. In the process of the product of fermentation, alcoholic drinks contain a fraction of the solution.

3. As a solvent: The most important use of propanol is to use it as a solvent or intermediate. It absorbs less water and has a mild odour compared with other alcohols. As a solvent, it is added to the polish removers, floor polishes, metal cleaning agents, etc. It can further produce more solvents like soap, dye solutions, cleaning agents, etc.

4. Fuels: propanol has a fire hazard rating of 2 and is considered a highly flammable liquid. It is used in internal combustion engines. This use is quite expensive and is not that much common as other volatile liquid alcohols.

5. Cosmetics: Cosmetics has some concentration of propanol in the mixture. Nail polish removers contain acetate and remove the acrylic nail paints and all sorts of polish stains due to their corrosive properties. Further, it is used in soaps, hair products, moisturizers, perfumes, and hand sanitisers.

 Uses of propanol for class 12

For the current year of 2021, the chapter on alcohols, phenols, and ethers holds a weightage of 6 marks, including one short question (3 marks), one very short question (2 marks), and one objective type question (1 mark).

A. Yes, the properties of 1-propanol and 2-propanol act as a disinfectant and are used to make hand sanitisers and disinfectants.  

A. Propanol is four times stronger and powerful than ethanol. Propanol creates propionic acid in the body, which might cause gastrointestinal issues, but the solution can safely be disposed of in the body

A. 1-propanol can risk the visibility of eyes; its vapours can cause dizziness. If ingested in the body, it can damage the lungs and respiratory system.

A. The chemical formula of propanol is CH3CH2CH2OH.  

A. The chemical reaction of the formation of propanol is as follows: H2C=CH2 + CO + H2 → CH3CH2CH=O

CH3CH2CH=O + H2 → CH3CH2CH2OH  

A. The magnetic susceptibility of 1-propanol is −45.176·10−6 cm3/mol.

A. The exact mass of propanol is 60.057515 g/mol.

Q. Can propanol be considered a disinfectant?

Q. Is it safe to drink propanol?

Q. Is 1-propanol toxic?

Q. What are the side effects of 1-propanol?

Q. What is the chemical formula of propanol?

Q. State the reaction of the formation of Propanol.

Q. Write the magnetic susceptibility of 1-propanol.

Q. Write the exact mass of propanol.