What chemical properties of alcohol make it an antiseptic?

In chemistry, an alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group. The general formula for a simple acyclic alcohol is CnH2n+1OH. read more

Other forms of alcohol are usually described with a clarifying adjective, as in isopropyl alcohol or by the suffix -ol, as in isopropanol. Structure: The functional group of an alcohol is a hydroxyl group bonded to an sp³ hybridized carbon. read more

Oddly enough, a solution of 70% alcohol, that is, rubbing alcohol, is a more effective antiseptic than 100% alcohol. Another case of where more is not better. Oddly enough, a solution of 70% alcohol, that is, rubbing alcohol, is a more effective antiseptic than 100% alcohol. read more