BDO and Its Derivatives, High-Purity Solvents

N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP)

N-Methyl Pyrrolidone, commonly referred to as NMP, is a powerful, high-boiling, dipolar aprotic solvent characterized by its colorless to light yellow appearance and faint amine-like odor. Chemically classified as a five-membered lactam, NMP possesses a molecular formula of C5H9NO and demonstrates exceptional stability under varying thermal and chemical conditions. It is miscible with water and a wide range of organic solvents, including alcohols, ethers, and chlorinated hydrocarbons, making it a versatile medium for numerous industrial processes. Its high polarity, combined with a low volatility and high flash point, provides a unique set of physical properties that allow for efficient solvation of both organic and inorganic substances. As a member of the pyrrolidone family, NMP plays a critical role in polymer chemistry, electronics manufacturing, and petrochemical processing. Despite its efficacy, handling requires stringent safety protocols due to its reproductive toxicity classification and potential environmental impact if not managed appropriately in industry.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

High solvency power allows for the effective dissolution of a vast range of polymers, including difficult-to-dissolve resins like PPS and PEEK.
Low volatility characterized by a high boiling point of 202 degrees Celsius ensures minimal vapor loss during high-temperature industrial processing cycles.
Excellent thermal and chemical stability ensures that the solvent remains effective and non-degraded even under aggressive manufacturing environments or recycling processes.
High flash point of 91 degrees Celsius provides a safer handling profile compared to many volatile organic compounds used in similar applications.
Complete miscibility with water and common organic solvents facilitates easy formulation and versatility across diverse chemical engineering and cleaning tasks.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular formula is C5H9NO with a precise molecular weight of 99.13 g/mol and a CAS registry number of 872-50-4 for identification.
Liquid density is approximately 1.028 g/cm3 at 25 degrees Celsius, providing a reliable metric for volumetric calculations in industrial scale production.
Dynamic viscosity is measured at 1.65 mPa.s at 25 degrees Celsius, allowing for efficient pumping and flow in complex pipeline systems.
Vapor pressure remains low at 0.39 hPa at 20 degrees Celsius, contributing to its low-emission profile during ambient temperature storage and usage.
Refractive index is 1.470 at 20 degrees Celsius, a critical specification used for purity verification and concentration monitoring in laboratory settings.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Crucial solvent in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, specifically for the binder dissolution and coating of electrode materials like PVDF.
Used extensively in the semiconductor industry as a photoresist stripper and cleaning agent for delicate electronic components and silicon wafers.
Acts as an extraction solvent in petrochemical processes, notably for the recovery of 1,3-butadiene and the purification of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Vital for the synthesis of high-performance polymers and engineering plastics, serving as a reaction medium for polyimides and polyphenylene sulfide production.
Employed in agrochemical formulations as a solvent for pesticides and herbicides to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of active ingredients.