26 Feb
2002
26 Feb
'02
8:32 a.m.
On Feb 20, 14:01, Roger Merchberger wrote:
"iso-propyl alcohol" is the "old" name for it;
"iso-propanol" is a more
modern version of the same name; the "systematic" name (used almost
everywhere *by chemists*) is "propan-2-ol". In this particular case,
"iso-propanol" and "propan-2-ol" give exactly the same information,
since
there are only three carbon atoms, so the hydroxyl group can be either in
the middle (iso-propanol/propan-2-ol) or at an end
(n-propanol/propan-1-ol). If there are more carbon atoms, there are more
possibilities for branches and aatachment positions, so the "old" names are
less informative.
Rumor has it that Tony Duell may have mentioned these
words:
>> > > Or you can call it "Isopropyl alcohol" or just "rubbing
alcohol"!
>> > > (But you want the 90+% stuff, NOT the 70%)
>> >
>> > But I don't think either of those are official convention.
>>
>> In spite of not being "official convention" (and sometimes not even
>> CORRECT), when telling somebody to get something, it just might be
useful
>> to them to know what it is called at the
places that they buy it.
>
>Unfortunately the 'local' names are just that. Local. I've never see
>anything called 'rubbing alcohol' for sale in the UK. I have seen it
>labelled isopropanol or propan-2-ol. Since this is an international
list,
it would seem
to make sense to use the official name and then to look it
up in a local chemical catalogue if necessary.
Although I agree with you totally, for many things there is *no*
international name. If you send anyone over to Wal-mart or K-mart for
isopropanol or propan-2-ol, they'll *never* find it. I've only ever seen
labeled is "rubbing alcohol" (which I'll admit is much too vague) or
"isopropyl alcohol" and the percentage (you can get 91% at Wal-mart, but
most places stock only the 70% AFAIK. (I'm looking at a bottle as I type)
Even under the ingredient listing (required by law in the US) it's
"isopropyl alcohol". Even "aluminum" is different, but I
don't remember how different...
You mean "aluminium" :-) Like sodium, potassium, uranium, ...
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--
Pete Peter Turnbull
Network Manager
University of York