Removal of water from isopropanol

摘要

Isopropanol containing more than 10% of water can be purified by distillation if it is admixed with an entrainer which forms a ternary azeotrope therewith, which ternary azeotrope separates upon condensation into an isopropanol-rich phase and a water-rich phase. The condensed ternary azeotrope is collected and the isopropanol-rich phase is recycled for further distillation while the water-rich phase is removed. After the water is removed from the liquor being distilled, the entrainer and the isopropanol are separated by distillation. Cyclohexane is the preferred entrainer.