2-METHYL-2-PROPENOIC ACID METHYL ESTER

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester is an unsaturated ester commonly known as methyl methacrylate or MMA.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester is a clear, colorless, highly flammable liquid that readily undergoes addition polymerization.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester is used primarily to manufacture polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic copolymers, coatings, adhesives, dental materials, bone cements, impact modifiers, and specialty resins.

CAS Number: 80-62-6
EC Number: 201-297-1
Molecular Formula: C₅H₈O₂
Molecular Weight: 100.12 g/mol

SYNONYMS

Methyl Methacrylate, MMA, Methacrylic Acid Methyl Ester, Methyl 2-Methylpropenoate, Methyl 2-Methyl-2-propenoate, Methyl 2-Methylprop-2-enoate, Methyl 2-Methylacrylate, Methyl α-Methylacrylate, Methyl Alpha-Methylacrylate, Methyl Methylacrylate, 2-Propenoic Acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, 2-Methylpropenoic Acid Methyl Ester, 2-Methyl-2-propenoic Acid Methyl Ester, 2-Methylacrylic Acid Methyl Ester, Methyl Ester of Methacrylic Acid, Methyl Ester of 2-Methyl-2-propenoic Acid, Acrylic Acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, 2-(Methoxycarbonyl)-1-propene, 2-(Methoxycarbonyl)prop-1-ene, Methyl Methacrylate Monomer, Methacrylate Monomer, Methacrylic Ester Monomer, Methyl Methacrylate Ester, Methacrylate of Methanol, Methyl 2-Methylacrylate Monomer, Methyl Methacrylate, Stabilized, Methyl Methacrylate, Inhibited, Inhibited MMA, Stabilized MMA, Acrylic Monomer MMA, PMMA Monomer, Acrylic-Sheet Monomer, Acrylic-Resin Monomer, Methacrylate Resin Monomer, Reactive Acrylic Diluent, Acrylic Copolymer Monomer, Vinyl Ester Monomer, Unsaturated Carboxylic Acid Ester, Alpha-Methyl Acrylic Ester, C₅ Methacrylate Ester, Methoxycarbonyl Isobutylene, Methoxycarbonylpropene, CH₂=C(CH₃)COOCH₃, C₅H₈O₂, CAS 80-62-6, EC 201-297-1, UN 1247, ICSC 0300, PubChem CID 6658, RTECS OZ5075000, NSC 4769, VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N

APPLICATIONS

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as the principal monomer for producing polymethyl methacrylate.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester undergoes free-radical polymerization to form a rigid, transparent acrylic thermoplastic.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports production of cast, extruded, and molded acrylic materials.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables control of polymer molecular weight, optical quality, residual monomer, and processing behavior through initiator and temperature selection.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions as the primary raw material for transparent acrylic sheet.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports production of glazing panels, protective screens, display panels, and transparent partitions.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes to sheet materials requiring high visible-light transmission and outdoor stability.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables acrylic sheet to be produced through cell casting, continuous casting, extrusion, or related polymer-processing methods.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a monomer for signs, illuminated displays, advertising panels, and point-of-sale structures.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports transparent, translucent, colored, and light-diffusing acrylic constructions.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes to materials that can be cut, thermoformed, polished, printed, and bonded after polymerization.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables fabrication of durable visual-communication products with controlled optical appearance.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in acrylic glazing materials for buildings and architectural structures.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports production of rooflights, transparent barriers, decorative panels, and weather-resistant exterior components.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes rigidity and optical transparency to suitable polymethyl methacrylate formulations.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables modification of glazing properties through copolymerization, impact modification, pigments, ultraviolet stabilizers, and surface treatments.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a monomer for automotive lighting lenses and transparent vehicle components.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports production of tail-light covers, indicator lenses, instrument covers, and decorative optical parts.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes dimensional stability and weather resistance to correctly formulated acrylic components.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables injection molding of complex transparent shapes after conversion into suitable polymer granules.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in molded acrylic products used for lighting and illumination.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports production of lamp covers, diffusers, lenses, optical guides, and illuminated signs.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes controlled clarity, light transmission, diffusion, and surface finish to derived polymers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables adjustment of optical performance through comonomers, texture, pigments, additives, and molding conditions.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a monomer in waterborne acrylic coating binders.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester participates in emulsion polymerization with softer acrylate and methacrylate comonomers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester increases hardness, weather resistance, blocking resistance, and durability in balanced coating polymers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports architectural coatings formulated for exterior and interior surfaces.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in exterior latex paints.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports acrylic emulsions designed to resist sunlight, rain, dirt, and repeated temperature changes.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes film hardness and long-term appearance retention when combined with suitable flexible comonomers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables coating performance to be adjusted through particle size, glass-transition temperature, crosslinking, and pigment-volume concentration.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a component of solvent-based acrylic resins for industrial finishes.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports coatings for metals, machinery, equipment, plastics, and fabricated components.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes hardness, gloss, color retention, and resistance to outdoor exposure.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables preparation of thermoplastic or crosslinkable acrylic binders through appropriate comonomer selection.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in metal and foil coating polymers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports thin protective or decorative films applied to compatible metallic substrates.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes adhesion, hardness, gloss, and resistance to handling in properly designed copolymers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires substrate preparation, curing, flexibility, corrosion, and forming-performance testing in the complete coating system.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a reactive monomer in structural acrylic adhesives.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester polymerizes rapidly after contact with a suitable initiator and activator system.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports bonding of metals, composites, ceramics, plastics, and other compatible durable substrates.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes low initial viscosity, rapid strength development, gap filling, and durable adhesion in formulated systems.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in two-component methacrylate adhesive systems.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as the polymerizable liquid phase combined with preformed acrylic polymers, tougheners, and functional additives.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports room-temperature curing through peroxide–amine or other compatible redox initiation.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables control of working time, fixture time, exotherm, bond-line thickness, and final mechanical properties.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a monomer in sealants, gasketing compounds, retaining materials, and repair resins.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports formation of crosslinked acrylic networks within joints, gaps, pores, and surface defects.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes rapid curing and adhesion when combined with suitable multifunctional methacrylates.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires finished formulations to be evaluated for shrinkage, residual monomer, flexibility, chemical resistance, and long-term durability.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in methyl methacrylate–butadiene–styrene impact-modifier production.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester forms a rigid acrylic shell or matrix around compatible rubber-containing particles.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports improved impact performance in rigid polymer materials.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes to impact modifiers used particularly in transparent or rigid polyvinyl chloride formulations.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a comonomer in acrylic impact modifiers for engineering plastics.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports core–shell particle structures containing rubbery and rigid polymer phases.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes compatibility, surface hardness, optical control, and processability to the final modifier.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables adjustment of impact strength through grafting level, particle size, rubber content, and copolymer composition.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in dental prosthetic resins.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester is combined with prepolymerized acrylic powder and an initiator system before shaping and curing.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports fabrication and repair of dentures, impression trays, orthodontic appliances, and related dental components.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires professional exposure controls because unpolymerized monomer can irritate and sensitize the skin.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as the liquid monomer component of selected surgical bone-cement systems.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester dissolves or swells prepolymerized acrylic powder before polymerization forms a hardened cement matrix.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports fixation of compatible orthopedic implants under validated clinical procedures.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires control of mixing, vapor exposure, polymerization exotherm, residual monomer, porosity, and mechanical properties.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in acrylic resins used for orthotic, prosthetic, and medical-device components.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports casting, molding, lamination, and repair of customized rigid structures.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes low-viscosity impregnation before polymerization in compatible reinforcement systems.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires medical applications to use validated formulations with appropriate biocompatibility and residual-monomer controls.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a monomer in polymer concrete and repair mortars.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester penetrates compatible mineral aggregates and porous construction surfaces before polymerization.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports rapid-curing repair materials for highways, bridges, floors, and industrial surfaces.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes early strength and reduced water sensitivity when formulation, substrate preparation, and curing are controlled.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in concrete impregnation and surface-sealing systems.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester can enter pores and cracks before polymerization forms a solid acrylic phase.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports reduced permeability and improved surface cohesion in suitable cementitious substrates.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires ignition control, ventilation, vapor containment, and evaluation of polymerization heat during field application.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a comonomer in paper-coating binders.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports emulsions that bind pigments and functional additives to paper and board.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes surface hardness, printability, gloss, water resistance, and blocking resistance.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables binder properties to be balanced through copolymerization with softer and more polar monomers.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in leather-finishing polymers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports acrylic dispersions used to form protective and decorative films on leather surfaces.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes hardness, gloss, abrasion resistance, and resistance to blocking.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires complete finishes to be evaluated for flexibility, adhesion, color, feel, water resistance, and residual monomer.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a comonomer in textile-finishing and textile-coating binders.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports attachment of pigments, functional particles, and finishes to compatible fibers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes durability, film strength, wash resistance, and controlled stiffness.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables adjustment of textile handle and flexibility through the ratio of hard and soft comonomers.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in printing-ink and overprint-varnish resins.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports binders designed for gloss, transparency, pigment wetting, adhesion, and abrasion resistance.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes hardness and rapid solvent release in suitable acrylic copolymers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires ink systems to be tested for substrate adhesion, recoatability, blocking, migration, and residual odor.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a monomer in floor-polish and protective floor-finish emulsions.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes hardness, gloss, scuff resistance, and resistance to repeated foot traffic.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports removable or durable floor coatings depending on copolymer and crosslinking design.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables control of film formation through plasticizer, coalescent, wax, and comonomer selection.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in polymers used as lubricating-oil additives.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester participates in copolymers designed to modify viscosity–temperature behavior.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes backbone rigidity and solvency balance to suitable methacrylate additive structures.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports lubricant formulations requiring controlled viscosity, low-temperature flow, and shear stability.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a comonomer in specialty acrylic fibers and fiber-forming copolymers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester modifies stiffness, thermal behavior, dye response, and processing characteristics in compatible copolymer systems.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports solution, suspension, or emulsion polymerization routes used to prepare fiber-grade resins.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires molecular weight and residual-monomer levels to be tightly controlled for stable spinning and fiber performance.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions as a reactive diluent in acrylic and methacrylate resin compositions.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester reduces initial viscosity while becoming incorporated into the polymer network during curing.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports impregnation, casting, filling, and wetting of compatible substrates and reinforcements.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires shrinkage, vapor emission, exotherm, flammability, and residual-monomer control during use.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a starting monomer for beads, microspheres, and porous acrylic particles.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports suspension, emulsion, dispersion, and seed-polymerization processes.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables preparation of particles used in coatings, diagnostics, chromatography, fillers, calibration, and materials research.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes particle hardness and optical properties while particle size is controlled by the polymerization process.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions in optical-grade acrylic polymers.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports production of lenses, light guides, optical covers, transparent housings, and instrument components.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes high transparency when monomer purity, polymerization, additives, and finishing are carefully controlled.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables adjustment of refractive behavior, ultraviolet response, impact strength, and thermal stability through copolymer design.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a raw material for transparent radiation-shielding acrylic materials containing suitable high-density additives.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports formation of clear polymer matrices capable of immobilizing compatible shielding components.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes machinability and optical inspection capability to specialized shielding structures.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires radiation, mechanical, optical, extractable, and residual-monomer testing in the finished material.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions as a model monomer in free-radical polymerization research.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports studies of initiation, propagation, termination, chain transfer, inhibition, and autoacceleration.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables evaluation of conventional, controlled-radical, emulsion, suspension, bulk, and solution polymerization.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester provides a widely characterized reference for relating reaction conditions to polymer architecture and molecular weight.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a calibration and system-suitability reference in analytical chemistry.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and workplace-air analysis.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables determination of residual monomer in polymers, medical materials, adhesives, coatings, and environmental samples.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires a characterized analytical grade with documented inhibitor content, assay, water, acidity, and impurity profile.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester functions as a process-control analyte during polymer manufacture.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports measurement of monomer conversion, polymerization rate, residual monomer, and vent-stream losses.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester enables evaluation of initiator efficiency, inhibitor depletion, reactor mixing, heat removal, and recovery operations.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contributes to safe process monitoring because uncontrolled accumulation can increase vapor and runaway-polymerization hazards.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester serves as a recoverable monomer in selected acrylic recycling processes.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester can be regenerated through controlled depolymerization of suitable polymethyl methacrylate waste.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester supports circular-material strategies when recovered monomer is purified to the required quality.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester requires recycled grades to be evaluated for inhibitor, color, acidity, water, volatile impurities, and polymerization performance.

DESCRIPTION

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester is the systematic registry-style name of methyl methacrylate.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester is identified by CAS Number 80-62-6 and EC Number 201-297-1.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester has the molecular formula C₅H₈O₂ and a molecular weight of approximately 100.12 g/mol.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester contains one polymerizable carbon–carbon double bond and one methyl ester group.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester normally appears as a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid or fruity odor.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester has a boiling point near 100.5°C, a melting point near −48°C, and a relative density near 0.94.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester has a water solubility of approximately 1.6 g/100 mL at 20°C and a vapor pressure near 3.9 kPa at 20°C.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester has a flash point near 10°C and readily forms explosive vapor–air mixtures.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester can be manufactured through the acetone-cyanohydrin process.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester may also be produced through routes based on isobutylene, tert-butanol, methacrylonitrile, methacrylic acid, or depolymerized acrylic waste.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester crude process streams are purified principally through distillation and controlled inhibitor addition.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester quality control commonly includes assay, inhibitor concentration, water, acidity, color, density, and volatile impurity profile.

2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester may polymerize because of heat, light, oxidizing agents, polymerization catalysts, or inhibitor depletion.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester commercial material is normally supplied with an inhibitor such as hydroquinone or hydroquinone methyl ether.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester irritates the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract and can cause allergic skin sensitization.
2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester must be stored only in stabilized form under cool, dark, well-ventilated, and fire-resistant conditions.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Name: 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester
Common Name: Methyl methacrylate
Abbreviation: MMA
Preferred IUPAC Name: Methyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate
Registry Name: 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester
CAS Number: 80-62-6
EC Number: 201-297-1
PubChem CID: 6658
RTECS Number: OZ5075000
ICSC Number: 0300
UN Number: 1247
Molecular Formula: C₅H₈O₂
Condensed Structural Formula: CH₂=C(CH₃)COOCH₃
Molecular Weight: 100.12 g/mol
Exact Molecular Weight: Approximately 100.0524 Da
InChIKey: VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Family: Methacrylate esters
Chemical Classification: Unsaturated carboxylic acid ester
Functional Groups: Polymerizable alkene and methyl ester
Physical State: Liquid
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Characteristic acrid or fruity odor
Boiling Point: Approximately 100.5°C
Melting Point: Approximately −48°C
Relative Density: Approximately 0.94
Water Solubility at 20°C: Approximately 1.6 g/100 mL
Vapor Pressure at 20°C: Approximately 3.9 kPa
Relative Vapor Density: Approximately 3.5
Relative Vapor–Air Mixture Density at 20°C: Approximately 1.09
Log Pow: Approximately 1.38
Flash Point: Approximately 10°C
Flash-Point Method: Open cup in the cited international safety data
Autoignition Temperature: Approximately 421°C
Lower Explosive Limit: Approximately 1.7% by volume
Upper Explosive Limit: Approximately 12.5% by volume
Flammability: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
Vapor Hazard: Vapor–air mixtures are explosive
Polymerization Potential: High when heated, irradiated, contaminated, or insufficiently stabilized
Commercial Form: Stabilized or inhibited monomer
Common Inhibitor Types: Hydroquinone, hydroquinone methyl ether, and substituted phenolic inhibitors
Primary Industrial Function: Acrylic monomer
Primary Polymer Product: Polymethyl methacrylate
Primary Copolymer Applications: Coatings, adhesives, impact modifiers, inks, leather coatings, paper coatings, floor finishes, and textile treatments
Medical Material Applications: Dental prosthetic resins and selected surgical bone cements
Construction Applications: Acrylic sheet, glazing, polymer concrete, surface impregnation, and repair systems
Analytical Application: Residual-monomer and workplace-air reference substance
Skin Hazard: Causes irritation and may cause allergic skin sensitization
Eye Hazard: Causes irritation
Respiratory Hazard: Vapor may irritate the nose, throat, and respiratory tract
Exposure Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, and eye contact
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, and respiratory system
Skin-Sensitization Classification: Category 1A under the cited Canadian assessment
NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit: 100 ppm or 410 mg/m³ as an eight-hour TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit: 100 ppm or 410 mg/m³ as an eight-hour TWA
EU Occupational Exposure Limit: 50 ppm TWA and 100 ppm STEL in the cited international card
NIOSH IDLH: 1,000 ppm
Aquatic Hazard: Harmful to aquatic organisms
UN Hazard Class: 3
UN Packing Group: II
Transport Description: Methyl methacrylate monomer, stabilized
Chemical Stability: Stable only under recommended inhibited storage conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, polymerization catalysts, strong acids, strong bases, and other materials identified in current safety documentation
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, smoke, methacrylate vapors, and irritating organic fumes
Suitable Firefighting Media: Foam, dry powder, and carbon dioxide
Container-Cooling Medium: Water spray may be used to cool fire-exposed containers
Recommended Storage: Fireproof, cool, dark, stabilized, tightly closed, and well ventilated
Environmental Precaution: Prevent release to drains, soil, groundwater, and surface water
Quality-Control Parameters: Appearance, assay, inhibitor, water, acidity, color, density, boiling range, and related volatile substances
Current Data Requirement: Confirm inhibitor type, inhibitor concentration, storage conditions, transport classification, and shelf life from current grade-specific documentation.

FIRST AID

Inhalation:
Move the affected person immediately to fresh air.
Keep the person at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
Avoid further exposure to 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester vapor, mist, smoke, or polymerization fumes.
Provide respiratory support only through trained personnel using suitable protective equipment.
Obtain medical attention if coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, or other symptoms develop.

Skin Contact:
Remove contaminated clothing, footwear, watches, and accessories immediately.
Rinse the affected skin promptly with plenty of water.
Wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Obtain medical advice if redness, irritation, itching, rash, or discomfort develops.
Consider possible allergic sensitization following repeated or substantial skin exposure.
Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

Eye Contact:
Rinse the eyes immediately with plenty of clean, gently flowing water.
Hold the eyelids open to ensure complete irrigation.
Remove contact lenses when present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes.
Obtain prompt medical attention if pain, redness, tearing, blurred vision, or irritation persists.

Ingestion:
Rinse the mouth thoroughly with water.
Do not induce vomiting unless directed by qualified medical personnel or a poison center.
Give one or two glasses of water only when the person is fully conscious and able to swallow.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious, drowsy, or convulsing person.
Obtain immediate medical attention if 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester has been swallowed.

Note to Physicians:
No substance-specific antidote should be assumed.
Provide supportive care and treat according to the patient’s symptoms and clinical condition.
Assess respiratory, dermal, ocular, gastrointestinal, and neurological effects after significant exposure.
Consider allergic contact sensitization when evaluating dermatitis following previous methacrylate exposure.
Use current poison-center guidance and the grade-specific Safety Data Sheet as the primary medical references.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling:
Handle 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester in accordance with strict flammable-liquid, sensitizing-monomer, and polymerization-hazard procedures.
Review the current technical specification and Safety Data Sheet before opening, sampling, transferring, filtering, or polymerizing the material.
Avoid all unnecessary contact with the skin, eyes, and clothing.
Do not breathe vapor, mist, aerosol, smoke, or polymerization fumes.
Use closed transfer, metering, mixing, reaction, and filling systems wherever reasonably practicable.
Open containers only in an effectively ventilated handling area.
Do not use compressed air for filling, discharging, pressurizing, or transferring the material.
Use compatible pumps or another controlled closed-transfer system.
Keep 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester away from flames, sparks, hot surfaces, ultraviolet radiation, welding, and smoking.
Ground and bond containers, tanks, transfer lines, pumps, and receiving equipment.
Use explosion-protected electrical equipment, ventilation, lighting, and instruments.
Prevent contact with strong oxidizing agents, polymerization catalysts, strong acids, strong bases, and incompatible contaminants.
Do not remove the inhibitor unless immediate controlled polymerization is intended under specialist procedures.
Check inhibitor condition before prolonged heating, distillation, or storage.
Control temperature continuously during bulk, suspension, solution, and emulsion polymerization.
Provide adequate emergency cooling and pressure relief for polymerization equipment.
Wash the hands, face, and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke in areas where the monomer is processed.
Do not take contaminated work clothing into homes or living areas.

Ventilation:
Provide effective general ventilation and local exhaust ventilation.
Position extraction close to tank openings, pumps, sampling ports, reactors, mixers, filling equipment, and spill-prone areas.
Provide low-level ventilation where heavier-than-air vapor may accumulate.
Capture vapor at the source rather than allowing it to spread through occupied work areas.
Maintain closed processing whenever the material is heated, sprayed, agitated, or handled over large exposed surfaces.
Use explosion-protected fans, motors, switches, controls, and monitoring equipment.
Do not rely on odor to determine whether airborne exposure is adequately controlled.
Monitor workplace air during repeated, large-scale, open, or heated handling.
Use suitable organic-vapor respiratory protection when engineering controls cannot adequately limit exposure.
Use supplied-air or self-contained breathing equipment during fires, major releases, confined-space entry, or unknown concentrations.
Select respiratory equipment through a documented occupational-exposure and sensitization-risk assessment.
Inspect and maintain ventilation, vapor-recovery systems, seals, alarms, and polymerization controls regularly.

Storage:
Store 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester only when adequately stabilized.
Keep the material in tightly closed, correctly labeled, and chemically compatible containers.
Store the material in a cool, dark, fire-resistant, secure, and well-ventilated location.
Protect containers from sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, excessive heat, flames, sparks, static discharge, and physical damage.
Keep 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester separated from strong oxidizing agents, polymerization initiators, strong acids, strong bases, and incompatible reactive chemicals.
Maintain the storage-temperature range specified for the supplied inhibited grade.
Do not freeze, overheat, or subject the material to repeated uncontrolled temperature cycling.
Maintain the conditions required for effective operation of the supplied inhibitor system.
Do not alter the storage atmosphere unless compatibility with the inhibitor system has been established.
Use containers, seals, gaskets, pumps, and piping verified for methacrylate-monomer service.
Provide secondary containment capable of retaining the contents of the largest container.
Prevent vapor accumulation in pits, drains, trenches, basements, and confined spaces.
Reseal partially used containers immediately after sampling or transfer.
Record the receipt date, opening date, inhibitor information, and storage history.
Use first-in, first-out stock rotation within the stated shelf life.
Inspect containers regularly for leakage, swelling, pressure buildup, discoloration, polymer formation, or damaged seals.
Never store uninhibited material without a specific specialist procedure.

Spill and Leak Procedures:
Evacuate the immediate area and restrict access to trained personnel.
Eliminate flames, sparks, hot surfaces, static sources, and other ignition hazards when this can be done safely.
Provide maximum explosion-protected ventilation without spreading vapor into occupied areas.
Wear chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, and suitable respiratory protection.
Use self-contained breathing apparatus for major releases, fires, confined spaces, or unknown concentrations.
Stop the source of the leak only when this can be done without personal risk.
Prevent 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester from entering drains, sewers, pits, soil, groundwater, or surface water.
Recover pumpable liquid into compatible, sealable, grounded, and correctly labeled containers.
Absorb remaining liquid with dry sand, earth, vermiculite, or another verified inert absorbent.
Do not use oxidizing, catalytic, acidic, alkaline, or chemically incompatible absorbents.
Use non-sparking tools and explosion-protected recovery equipment.
Do not wash the spill into drains.
Collect contaminated absorbent, disposable equipment, and cleaning residues in closed hazardous-waste containers.
Keep recovered material away from heat and polymerization initiators.
Ventilate and monitor the area before allowing unprotected personnel to return.
Dispose of recovered material through an authorized flammable organic-chemical waste route.
Report environmental releases as required by applicable regulations.

Handling Precautions:
Wear chemical-resistant gloves selected from documented methacrylate permeation and breakthrough data.
Do not assume that thin disposable or general-purpose gloves provide adequate protection.
Use tightly fitting chemical goggles.
Wear a face shield in addition to goggles during transfer, sampling, reaction charging, and spill response.
Use antistatic chemical-resistant protective clothing and footwear.
Provide accessible eyewash and emergency-shower equipment near major handling locations.
Inspect gloves, clothing, hoses, seals, pumps, valves, gaskets, and transfer connections before use.
Use only equipment materials verified as compatible with 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester.
Ground and bond all conductive containers and processing equipment.
Use explosion-protected pumps, motors, switches, heaters, and instruments.
Prevent prolonged or repeated skin exposure because allergic sensitization can develop.
Verify inhibitor concentration before extended storage, transport, purification, or high-temperature processing.
Avoid uncontrolled contact with peroxide initiators, azo initiators, oxidants, ultraviolet radiation, and polymerization catalysts.
Do not distill or evaporate uninhibited material without specialist safeguards.
Control temperature, initiator addition, agitation, cooling, and pressure during polymerization.
Provide emergency cooling, high-temperature alarms, and pressure relief for bulk reaction systems.
Review current technical specifications, safety documentation, occupational requirements, transport rules, environmental obligations, and emergency procedures before production, formulation, storage, transport, or disposal.