Rubbing alcohol is the common name for what type of alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol is commonly recognized as isopropyl alcohol, which is a solvent and antiseptic widely used in both household and medical settings. Isopropyl alcohol has the chemical formula C3H8O and is favored for its effectiveness in killing bacteria and viruses, making it a popular choice for disinfecting surfaces and sanitizing skin.

The distinction of rubbing alcohol being specifically isopropyl is important in that this type of alcohol is less toxic than other varieties, such as methanol, which can cause serious harm if ingested or improperly used. Ethanol, while also used as an antiseptic, does not typically carry the designation of "rubbing alcohol" in many contexts. Butanol, on the other hand, is primarily used in industrial applications and is not typically used for disinfection purposes, hence it does not fit as an appropriate answer in this context.