What is methyl ethyl ketone?
Methyl ethyl ketone or butanone is a colorless liquid with a pungent and sweet odor similar to acetone with the molecular formula C4H7O. The solubility of this substance in water is 28 wt.% and it is miscible in most organic solvents to any extent. It is extremely unstable in the presence of compounds such as strong oxidants, amines, ammonia, mineral acids, isocyanates and pyridine. It should be handled with caution when used in industry. This compound is part of the LB category and is considered a flammable and dangerous liquid. The most important use of this substance is as a solvent in the paint and surface coating industry, which dissolves materials well and evaporates easily in environmental conditions. This substance has a neutral pH at room temperature and is stable and inert in neutral environmental conditions away from heat and ignition agents.
Physical and Chemical Properties
In the table below you can see some of the properties of this material.
| Structure |  |
| Chemical formula | CH2COCH2CH3 |
| cas no | 78-93-3 |
| Molecular mass | 0.805 g/mol |
| Density | 1.044 g/ml |
| Melting point | 87ºC- |
| Boiling point | 80ºC |
| Solubility | Low miscibility in water, very high miscibility in ethanol, ether, acetone, benzene |
| Other names | 2-Butanone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propanone, methyl acetone |
Method of production of methyl ethyl ketone
The industrial production method of this substance is the oxidation of 2-butanol in the presence of appropriate catalysts. This reaction is carried out by removing hydrogen from 2-butanol in the presence of copper, zinc or bronze catalysts to produce the main product. Its reaction equation is as follows:
CH3CH2OHCH2CH3 → CH3COCH2CH3 + H2
Other methods of preparing this compound are the oxidation of 2-butene and the oxidation of isobutyl benzene, which are similar to the industrial production process of acetone. This process is known as the Walker method, which is not used on a large scale due to the cost and complexity of the process.
During the Fischer reaction, a stream of oxygen gas mixture is produced, which is produced by the oxidation of heavy crude oil, a mixture of methyl ethyl ketone products is produced, which can be extracted through sequential extraction.
Also, studies have shown that this substance is also prepared during the process of dry distillation of wood and tea in an oily environment (ether solvent). This substance is also present in coffee, cheese, bread, citrus fruits and natural fruits (grapes and raspberries). Due to the difficulty and cost of the process and the low yield of the product, this method is not very common.
Applications of methyl ethyl ketone
This compound has many applications in industry and its applications are very wide. We will mention some of them below:
Solvent
This substance is widely used as a solvent in the processes of preparing adhesives, resins, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose coatings and vinyl films. For this reason, this compound is widely used in the rubber industry, textiles, paraffin waxes, and household products and appliances such as varnish removal, paint removal, polishing sensitive surfaces, and removing adhesives from surfaces as a strong cleaning agent. The solvent and cleaning properties of this substance are very similar to acetone, with the difference that its evaporation rate is lower and slower than that of acetone, which leads to increased solvent-type applications and cleaning properties of this substance.
Unlike acetone, this substance forms an azeotrope with water, which improves the azeotropic distillation of moisture and as a result, this unique property gives it a special feature and application.
Plastics Coupling Agent
This substance is easily soluble in polystyrene and most plastics. The good solubility of this substance leads to its use as a stiffening agent in plastic structures. In fact, this substance, with these crosslinks in polymers, leads to increased strength and maintenance of the appearance and physical properties of plastics.
Chemical Precursor and Catalyst
This substance is used in draining lubricating oils from machine parts, removing viscous (volatile) oils from metals, in the synthesis of synthetic leathers, transparent papers and aluminum foils as a precursor and catalyst for chemical reactions.
Petroleum Industry
The main problem in the oil industry is cleaning and purifying oil equipment and tools, which are very difficult to clean due to petroleum raw materials. Therefore, this substance is one of the main cleaners of petroleum raw materials from equipment and does not cause any damage to the equipment due to its slow evaporation in environmental conditions.
As a precursor
To prepare the important and widely used precursor methyl ethyl ketone peroxides, which is used as a crosslinking agent for unsaturated polyester resins in the polymerization process.
This material is also used to prepare the valuable precursor dimethylglyoxime.
Other uses
Other uses of this material include the following:
- For sterilizing medical equipment
- As a solvent for processing and extracting valuable nutrients from food products
- It is used as a roving agent in heavy equipment.
- As a main precursor in surface coating processes
- Solvent for household use
- As a photo initiator for the polymerization of methacrylic acids
This material can also be used to synthesize and prepare transparent and glossy floor covering resins and produce carbon black powders.
Global Market:
The global market value of this material was $3.68 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $6.35 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%. The demand for this compound is driven by manufacturing processes such as coatings, adhesives, inks, and pharmaceuticals. This material has many applications due to its solvent properties that are essential in product formulations. It is widely used in the paint and coating industries and even pharmaceuticals. The market for this material is divided into various segments based on geographical region, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. In Asia, we saw very high growth due to the industrial growth of countries such as China and India. In terms of application, the paint, coating, and adhesive industries also need reliable solvents for optimal performance.
MSDS and dangers of methyl ethyl ketone
This substance is highly active in the presence of oxidizers and is highly flammable and dangerous when reacted with them. This compound is inherently explosive and explodes rapidly in the presence of sparks or heat and a small flame. In the event of a fire caused by this substance, immediately use carbon dioxide powder, dry agents or alcohol-resistant foams and avoid other extinguishing agents.
It quickly enters the body through inhalation and skin contact and shows its toxic properties. Direct effects on the respiratory system, eye muscle irritation, and direct effects on the peripheral and central nervous systems of humans are among the most important dangerous factors of this substance. Be sure to use special gloves and glasses while working with this substance. Also, use a hood with strong suction when using it and make sure the lid is closed after each use
It is highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, potassium trithiobutoxide, alkaline environments and chloroform and will be highly explosive with a small spark. Therefore, the storage conditions of this substance are in a dry and cool place and away from other active chemical compounds. After each use of this substance, the lid should be completely closed and stored in a well-ventilated place.
Safety and health
MEK Safety for Health
*MEK is approved by the FDA for its safety. Hence it is used as an additive in food.
* It causes fires and explosions. Because MEK is flammable. And it reacts with most oxidizing substances.
* Increasing the concentration of MEK in the air causes irritation of the eyes and nervous system.
* The chemical butanone can endanger human health in high amounts and concentrations.
* Prolonged contact with MEK causes dry eyes, dermatitis, headaches and neurological problems.
* The solvent methyl ethyl ketone is naturally present in drinking water and surface water. Hence, you are exposed to it by consuming these household products containing this chemical.
Dangers and side effects of methyl ethyl ketone
* MEK is flammable. It reacts with most oxidizing substances. This action causes fires and explosions.
*May produce toxic substances upon combustion.
*High concentrations of this substance are intolerable to humans. Because its vapors cause eye and respiratory irritation.
*Long-term contact with MAK causes dry eyes, dermatitis, headaches, and nervous problems. This is because small amounts of MAK are present in cigarette smoke, drinking water, and surface water.
H225: Its liquid and vapor are highly flammable.
H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Side Effects
According to research, irritation of the nose, throat and eyes is considered to be one of the side effects of inhaling this substance. Other side effects include headache, fatigue and dizziness.
