Acrylates, High-Purity Solvents

2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate (HPMA)

2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate (HPMA) is a clear, colorless liquid monomer characterized by its dual functional groups: a reactive methacrylate group and a secondary hydroxyl group. This structural profile makes HPMA a versatile building block in polymer chemistry, facilitating the synthesis of thermosetting resins and hydrophilic polymers. As a monofunctional monomer, it undergoes smooth radical polymerization with various acrylates and methacrylates, providing excellent copolymerization behavior. The presence of the hydroxyl moiety imparts significant chemical reactivity, allowing for post-polymerization modifications such as crosslinking with isocyanates, anhydrides, or melamine resins. HPMA exhibits low volatility and a relatively high boiling point, contributing to its stability during processing. Its ability to improve adhesion, enhance scratch resistance, and provide clarity makes it indispensable in high-performance coatings. Furthermore, the monomer’s inherent solubility characteristics bridge the gap between hydrophobic and hydrophilic systems, ensuring compatibility across diverse solvent-borne and water-borne industrial formulations while maintaining essential thermal and hydrolytic stability profiles.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

High Reactivity: The methacrylate double bond enables rapid free-radical polymerization for efficient curing processes in industrial resin production.
Chemical Versatility: Contains a secondary hydroxyl group that serves as an active site for secondary crosslinking and modification reactions.
Adhesion Promotion: Enhances the bonding capabilities of coatings and adhesives to various substrates, including metals, plastics, and glass surfaces.
Low Volatility: Characterized by a high boiling point and low vapor pressure, ensuring minimal material loss during high-temperature manufacturing stages.
Flexibility and Clarity: Polymers synthesized using HPMA exhibit superior optical clarity and balanced mechanical flexibility, suitable for high-end applications.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular Formula and Weight: Defined by the chemical formula C7H12O3 with a molecular weight of approximately 144.17 grams per mole.
Specific Gravity and Refractive Index: Displays a specific gravity of 1.025 to 1.030 at 20°C and a refractive index of 1.445.
Boiling and Flash Point: Features a boiling point of 209°C at 1013 hPa and a flash point of approximately 101°C (Pensky-Martens).
Purity and Inhibitors: Typically supplied at 97% minimum purity, stabilized with 100-200 ppm of Hydroquinone Monomethyl Ether (MEHQ) to prevent polymerization.
Water Solubility: Exhibits moderate solubility in water (approx 130 g/L at 20°C), while being fully miscible with most organic solvents.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Automotive Coatings: Widely used in the formulation of high-quality automotive clearcoats to improve weatherability, scratch resistance, and gloss retention.
Anaerobic Adhesives: Acts as a critical reactive diluent in anaerobic sealants and structural adhesives for metal-to-metal bonding in mechanical engineering.
UV-Curable Resins: Employed in ultraviolet radiation-curable systems for inks and coatings to enhance crosslinking density and surface hardness properties.
Contact Lenses: Serves as a fundamental monomer in the production of soft contact lenses and biocompatible hydrogels due to its hydrophilic nature.
Textile and Paper: Used in the synthesis of binders and finishes for textiles and paper products to increase durability and chemical resistance.