The rate coefficients for the reaction OH + CH3CH2CH2OH → products (k1) and OH + CH3CH(OH)CH3 → products (k2) were measured by the pulsed‐laser photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence technique between 237 and 376 K. Arrhenius expressions for k1 and k2 are as follows: k1 = (6.2 ± 0.8) × 10−12 exp[−(10 ± 30)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with k1(298 K) = (5.90 ± 0.56) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, and k2 = (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10−12 exp[(150 ± 20)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with k2(298) = (5.22 ± 0.46) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The quoted uncertainties are at the 95% confidence level and include estimated systematic errors. The results are compared with those from previous measurements and rate coefficient expressions for atmospheric modeling are recommended. The absorption cross sections for n‐propanol and iso‐propanol at 184.9 nm were measured to be (8.89 ± 0.44) × 10−19 and (1.90 ± 0.10) × 10−18 cm2 molecule−1, respectively. The atmospheric implications of the degradation of n‐propanol and iso‐propanol are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 10–24, 2010