What Is Methyl Acrylate?
Methyl acrylate, an organic acrylic ester also known as methyl propenoate, is a clear, colorless liquid with a fruity ester odor. It’s volatile, flammable, and designated as a hazardous material, with molecular formula CH2=CHCOOCH3 and CAS No. 140-88-5.
Uses of Methyl Acrylate
Widely used in industrial applications, methyl acrylate is a reactant in various chemical reactions and serves as a raw material for acrylic fibers, resins, adhesives, paints, emulsions, coatings, and copolymerization processes. It’s utilized in automotive parts, leather processing, acrylic rubber manufacturing, and as an adhesive in LCD panels and smartphones.
Principle of Methyl Acrylate
Methyl acrylate has a molecular weight of 86.1, melting point of -76.5℃, boiling point of 80.3℃, flash point of -2.8℃, and is water-soluble. Its reactivity is enhanced by the olefin moiety, and it’s prone to self-polymerization, often stabilized with hydroquinone monomethyl ether. It can include impurities like methyl acetate and methyl propionate.
1. Method of Synthesis of Methyl Acrylate
Synthesized from acrylic acid esters, methyl acrylate is highly reactive and stabilized for safety.
Types of Methyl Acrylate
Available in both small volumes for reagent use and larger capacities for industrial applications, with packaging ranging from small bottles to large drums and lorries.
Other Information on Methyl Acrylate
Safety Information on Methyl Acrylate
Methyl acrylate poses risks like skin burns, eye damage, inhalation toxicity, possible carcinogenesis, and aquatic toxicity. Protective gear is essential, and it’s regulated under various safety standards, including OSHA guidelines for hazardous and flammable materials.