Description
What it is. Lab Pro's Ethanol Denatured Reagent 200 Proof is a reagent alcohol: a 200 proof denatured ethanol blend of approximately 90% ethanol (CAS 64-17-5), 5% methanol, and 5% isopropyl alcohol. The manufacturer part number, 241000200CSGL, is a Pharmco reagent alcohol, now part of Greenfield Global, listed as ACS grade. It comes in 1-gallon poly bottles, four per case, for laboratory, research, industrial, and cleaning use. The case quantity suits labs that use alcohol daily.
Why denatured reagent alcohol. Pure, non-denatured ethanol is subject to federal excise tax, which makes it expensive for routine use. Denaturing ethanol with methanol and isopropyl alcohol makes it unfit to drink, so this 200 proof blend does not require the alcohol tax that applies to pure ethyl alcohol. For most solvent, cleaning, and many lab uses, reagent alcohol performs like ethanol at a fraction of the cost. That cost difference adds up quickly for high-use labs.
Purity specifications. Lab Pro lists a color of 10 APHA and residue after evaporation below 0.0005%, so the blend is clear and colorless and leaves virtually nothing behind when it evaporates. At 200 proof, it is essentially water-free, which matters for drying glassware, dissolving water-sensitive materials, and preparing solutions where added water would change concentration or results. Those limits also make results more consistent between lots. It also stores well when kept tightly capped.
Common uses. Denatured ethanol is used as a general laboratory solvent, for cleaning and drying glassware and equipment, for histology and tissue processing steps, as a reagent in extractions and sample preparation, and for surface cleaning in production areas. It mixes with water, so labs often dilute it to 70% for routine surface wipe-downs, using purified water and clearly labeled containers. Its versatility makes it one of the most used solvents on a lab shelf.
When not to use it. Because it contains methanol and isopropyl alcohol, denatured reagent alcohol is not suitable where pure ethanol is required, such as some pharmaceutical, food, molecular biology, or analytical methods that specify absolute ethanol, or where denaturants could interfere. For those, Lab Pro also stocks Ethanol Non-Denatured 200 Proof (ACS) and Reagent Ethanol 140 Proof. It must never be consumed. Choosing the right grade avoids paying for purity you don't need.
Safety and shipping. Reagent alcohol is a highly flammable liquid; distributors list it under UN1987, Alcohols, n.o.s., Class 3, Packing Group II. Store it in a flammable liquids cabinet away from heat, sparks, and oxidizers; keep containers closed, and ventilate the work area. Methanol in the blend is toxic if swallowed or absorbed, so wear gloves and eye protection. Lab Pro ships within 24 hours from its California warehouse. Keep spill kits nearby where it is dispensed.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Reagent Alcohol (Ethanol, denatured), 200 Proof |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 241000200CSGL (Pharmco / Greenfield Global) |
| Composition | ~90% ethanol, 5% methanol, 5% isopropyl alcohol |
| CAS Number | 64-17-5 (ethanol) |
| Linear Formula | CH3CH2OH (ethanol) |
| Molecular Weight | 46.07 (ethanol) |
| Grade | ACS reagent alcohol |
| Proof | 200 |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid |
| Color (APHA) | 10 |
| Residue after Evaporation | <0.0005% |
| Excise Tax | Not required for this denatured blend |
| DOT | UN1987, Alcohols, n.o.s., Class 3, PG II |
| Container | 1-gallon HDPE poly bottle; 4 per case |
Applications / Common Uses
- General lab solvent: dissolving and extracting compounds
- Glassware cleaning and drying: water-free alcohol that evaporates cleanly
- Histology and tissue processing: dehydration and processing steps where denatured alcohol is permitted
- Surface cleaning: diluted to 70% for routine wipe-downs
- Industrial cleaning: degreasing parts and equipment
Storage, Handling & Shipping
Store reagent alcohol in a flammable liquids cabinet in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from heat, sparks, open flames, and oxidizers such as nitric acid and peroxides. Keep containers tightly closed to prevent water uptake and evaporation. Wear gloves and eye protection and ventilate the work area. Orders ship as a Class 3 flammable liquid with a hazmat charge; consult the SDS before use.
- Storage: Flammable cabinet; cool, ventilated; away from ignition sources
- Segregation: Away from oxidizers such as nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide
- Container: Keep tightly closed to prevent water uptake
- Shipping: UN1987 Class 3; hazmat charge applies; ships within 24 hours from CA
Related Categories & Services
- Solvents: acetone, alcohols, and other process solvents in bottles through drums
- Pharmco Products: Pharmco solvents and alcohols, including HPLC and ACS grades
- Chemicals & Reagents: the full range of lab and production chemicals, by grade and pack size
- Common Chemical Grades: a guide to choosing between ACS, USP, HPLC, and other grades
- Non-Sterile Wipers: cleanroom wipers to pair with solvents for wipe-downs
- Lab and Healthcare industry page: Lab Pro products used in lab and healthcare
Services
- Need recurring supply? Ask about Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) for standing orders of laboratory alcohols
- Punchout Catalogs: order through your procurement system
- New Lab Startups: help outfitting a new lab
Technical Library
CAS Number
64-17-5
FAQs
What is denatured alcohol?
Denatured alcohol is ethanol with added substances that make it unfit to drink, which exempts it from the federal excise tax on drinking alcohol. In Lab Pro's 200 proof reagent alcohol, the denaturants are methanol and isopropyl alcohol, in an approximately 90/5/5 blend. It performs as a general-purpose lab solvent and cleaner.
What does 200 proof ethanol mean?
Proof is twice the alcohol percentage by volume, so 200 proof means essentially 100% alcohol with almost no water. For this reagent alcohol, the alcohol content is a blend of ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol rather than ethanol alone, which is why it is labeled denatured.
Is denatured alcohol the same as isopropyl or rubbing alcohol?
No. Denatured alcohol is mainly ethanol with denaturants added, while isopropyl alcohol is a different alcohol, 2-propanol. Rubbing alcohol is usually a 70% isopropyl or ethanol solution in water sold for consumer use. This reagent alcohol contains some isopropyl alcohol as a denaturant but is roughly 90% ethanol.
Is denatured alcohol the same as acetone?
No. Acetone is a ketone, a different solvent that evaporates faster and dissolves many plastics, paints, and adhesives more aggressively. Denatured alcohol is an alcohol blend that is gentler on many materials. Both are flammable, and they are not interchangeable in methods that specify one or the other.
Is reagent alcohol safe to store with other solvents?
You can store it with other compatible flammable solvents in a flammable cabinet, but keep it away from oxidizers such as nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and perchlorates, which can react violently with alcohols. Label cabinets clearly to prevent mix-ups.
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