What is MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)?
Methyl ethyl ketone (cas no 78 93 3) , also known as 2-Butanone or MEK, is an important organic chemical raw material widely used in coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaning agents, and other fields.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Properties
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) has the molecular formula CH₃COCH₂CH₃ and a molecular weight of 72.11. This chemical substance appears as a colorless, transparent liquid with a distinctive odor similar to acetone. It is highly volatile and miscible with ethanol, diethyl ether, benzene, chloroform, and oils. Notably, methyl ethyl ketone exhibits low toxicity at low concentrations, but its vapors become anesthetic at high concentrations. Furthermore, it is highly flammable, and its vapors can form explosive mixtures with air. Therefore, extreme caution is required during handling and use.
mek methyl ethyl ketone uses
In industry, 2-butanone is primarily employed as a solvent. Applications include dewaxing lubricants, coating manufacturing, dissolving various resins, and serving as a co-boiling distillation agent in the extraction and refining of vegetable oils. Its advantages lie in strong solubility and lower volatility compared to acetone, positioning it as a medium-boiling-point ketone solvent.
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) also serves as an intermediate in the production of pharmaceuticals, dyes, detergents, fragrances, antioxidants, and certain catalysts. It is used to synthesize anti-peeling agents like methyl ethyl ketone oxime, polymerization catalysts such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, and etching inhibitors like methylpenta-al. In the electronics industry, methyl ethyl ketone is also used as a developer after photolithography in integrated circuits.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Storage
Methyl ethyl ketone solvent should be kept in a cool, well-ventilated warehouse, away from ignition sources and heat.
Containers must remain sealed. Additionally, it must be stored separately from oxidizers, reducing agents, alkalis, and similar substances to prevent mixed storage.
The storage area should be equipped with appropriate firefighting equipment and leak emergency response devices to ensure safety.
Why Choose Gneebio as Your Supplier?
As a methyl ethyl ketone (CAS 78-93-3) manufacturer, Gneebio focuses on product consistency, industrial applicability, and bulk supply reliability. The company operates under strict quality management systems to ensure that methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) meets the requirements of large-scale and continuous production environments.
Key manufacturing and supply strengths include:
- Controlled purity grades suitable for industrial and synthetic applications
- Stable batch-to-batch quality for long-term procurement
- Bulk supply capability to support contract and spot orders
- Export-ready packaging and documentation (COA, SDS, etc.)
