Isopropanol is commonly employed as an industrial cleaner and solvent. Additionally, it is sold as "rubbing alcohol" for use as a disinfectant. As a significant component in dry gas, a fuel additive, it solubilizes water in gasoline, thereby removing the threat of frozen supply lines. Proposed biofuel applications include partial replacement of gasoline and in production of fatty acid esters.   A benefit of substituting isopropanol for methanol in fatty acid esters is a higher tolerance for cold temperatures. The fatty acid isopropyl ester would remain liquid in cooler climates. The biosynthesis genes for isopropanol originally found in Clostridia acetobutylicum were engineered into an E. coli strain for optimal industrial usage. [1]

[1] Hanai, T., Atsumi, S., Liao, J.C., 2007, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73, 7814-7818.