N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) and its applications
May 20, 2024
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N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP)
Chemical synonyms: 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone; N-Methylpyrrolidone; N-Methylpyrrolidinone; NMP; 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone
Applications
- Electronics
- Paints & coatings
- Polymer & plastic
- Process solvents
- Solvents/stripping agents
- Wire wrappers
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) is a high boiling, polar aprotic, low viscosity liquid. NMP has a good solvency for a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds and it is miscible with water at all temperatures and has a high chemical and thermal stability. It is used as a solvent for engineering polymers and coating resins. Additionally, the polar nature and the low surface tension of NMP makes it an excellent cleaning medium and paint stripping solvent.
NMP is a powerful solvent with a low volatility used for a wide range of chemicals and finds its application among others in:
Petrochemical processing:
NMP is used as extraction medium in several industrial processes because of its affinity for unsaturated hydrocarbons and aromatics, for example butadiene recovery, BTX extraction, lube oil purification, …
As illustration for the strong selectivity of NMP towards acetylene, the table below shows the solubility of acetylene in various solvents.
Electronics:
NMP is used as photoresist stripper, for defluxing, degreasing and cleaning.
NMP is a solvent for the production of FCCL, polyamide/polyimide wire enamels, epoxy and polyurethane coatings, …
Pharmaceuticals:
NMP can be used as solvent, extraction medium, …
Industrial and household cleaning:
NMP is used for paint stripping, in graffiti removers, oven cleaners, in automotive and industrial cleaner formulations, …
Agrochemicals:
NMP can be used as solvent during synthesis or as a formulation agent.
