Chemical:

N-METHYL-2-PYRROLIDONE

CAS Number:

872-50-4

 

What is nMP?

NMP is mainly used as a solvent for extraction in the petrochemical industry, as a reactive medium in polymeric and non-polymeric chemical reactions, as a remover of graffiti, as a paint stripper in the occupational setting, and for stripping and cleaning applications in the microelectronics fabrication industry. It is also used as a formulating agent in pigments, dyes, and inks and in insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. NMP is further used as an intermediate in the pharmaceutical industry, as a penetration enhancer for topically applied drugs, and as a vehicle in the cosmetics industry.

PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN nMP

·         Aerosol paint concentrates

  • Agricultural chemicals
  • Automobile body polish and cleaners
  • Disinfectants (nonagricultural)
  • Floor polish
  • Fungicides for agric., garden and health service use
  • Glass window cleaning preparations
  • Herbicides for agric., garden and health service use
  • Household hard surface cleaners (liquid)
  • Insecticides for agric., garden and health service use
  • Other laundry aids, including ironing aids and dry cleaning spotting pre
  • Other manicuring preparations
  • Other specialty cleaning and sanitation products
  • Paint and varnish removers

Benefits and Applications

NMP, known for its low toxicity and solvent power, is rapidly becoming the product of choice for paint strippers, agricultural chemicals and process solvent applications. As a cosolvent, NMP can improve the gloss of floor polishes. Because of its high solvency and low volatility, NMP is used in automotive and industrial cleaners with solvents, including hydrocarbons, terpenes, propylene carbonate and propylene glycol ethers. It is recyclable by distillation, readily biodegradable and essentially non-toxic to aquatic life. It is not on the Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) list of the U.S. 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.

Because of its exceptional performance and relatively low toxicity, NMP is the leading substitute for methylene chloride in paint strippers, graffiti removers and other products for consumer and industrial cleanup. NMP can be used safely and effectively in all its current applications when used with appropriate personal protective equipment.