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Butanone
The skeletal structure of butanone A space filling model of butanone
General
Other names	Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) Methylpropanone Ethylmethylketone
Molecular formula	C4H8O CH3COC2H5
SMILES	CCC(=O)C
Molar mass	72.11 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless liquid
CAS number	[78-93-3]
Properties
Density and phase	0.8050 g/cm³, liquid
Solubility in water	29 g/100 ml (20 °C)
Melting point	−86 °C (187 K)
Boiling point	80 °C (353 K)
Viscosity	0,43 cP at 20 °C
Structure
Molecular shape	?
Dipole moment	2.76 D
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
EU classification	Flammable ('F') Irritant ('Xi')
NFPA 704
R-phrases	, , ,
S-phrases	, ,
Flash point	−9 °C
Autoignition temperature	505 °C
RTECS number	EL6475000
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	''n'', εr, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Related Ketones	Acetone 3-pentanone 3-Methylbutanone
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

'2-Butanone' is a manufactured organic chemical. It is a colorless liquid with a sharp, sweet odor. It is a ketone, also known as 'methyl ethyl ketone' ('MEK').
2-Butanone is produced in large quantities. Nearly half of it is used in paints and other coatings because it will quickly evaporate. It dissolves many substances and is used as a solvent in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose coatings and in vinyl films. It is also used in the synthetic rubber industry, It is used in manufacturing plastics, textiles , in the production of paraffin wax and in household products such as lacquer, varnishes, paint remover, a denaturing agent for denatured alcohol, glues and as a cleaning agent. It is used for synthesis of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, a catalyst for some polymerization reactions. It is highly flammable. It is not considered a large health threat.
2-Butanone occurs as a natural product. It is made by some trees and found in some fruits and vegetables in small amounts. It is also released to the air from car and truck exhausts.

Contents

Health effects

External links

Health effects

The known health effects to people from exposure to 2-butanone are irritation of the nose, throat, skin, and eyes. There are no known cases of any humans dying from breathing 2-butanone alone. However, if 2-butanone is breathed along with other chemicals that damage health, it can increase the amount of damage that occurs.
Serious health effects in animals have been seen only at very high levels. When breathed, these effects included birth defects, loss of consciousness, and death. When swallowed, rats had nervous system effects including drooping eyelids and uncoordinated muscle movements. There was no damage to the ability to reproduce. Mice who breathed low levels for a short time showed temporary behavioral effects. Mild kidney damage was seen in animals that drank water with low levels of 2-butanone for a short time.
There are no long-term studies with animals either breathing or drinking 2-butanone.
Methyl ethyl ketone is listed as a Table II precursor under the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances[1].

External links

★ International Chemical Safety Card 0179

★ National Pollutant Inventory - Methyl Ethyl Ketone Fact Sheet

★ NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

★ US EPA Datasheet

★ US NIH list of products that contain butanone (MEK)