Functional Roles
Industries Served
Physical Properties
melting_point
-123.3 u00b0F (NTP, 1992)
boiling_point
175.3 u00b0F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
density
0.806 at 68 u00b0F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
solubility
greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 66 u00b0F (NTP, 1992)
vapor_pressure
77.5 mmHg at 68 u00b0F ; 100 mmHg at 77.0 u00b0F (NTP, 1992)
flash_point
26 u00b0F (NTP, 1992)
GHS / SDS Safety
Danger
Irritant
Health Hazard
Flammable
- H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]
- H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]
- H305: May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways [Warning Aspiration hazard]
- H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]
- H319 (> 99.9%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H225: Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]
- H336 (99.5%): May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]
- H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]
- H225 (> 99.9%): Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]
- H332: Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H333: May be harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H303: May be harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]
- H320: Causes eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]
- H371: May cause damage to organs [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]
- H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
Chemical Identity
| CAS Number | 78-93-3 |
| IUPAC Name | butan-2-one |
| InChI Key | ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| PubChem CID | 6569 |
| INCI Name | MEK |
Synonyms & Trade Names
Full Description
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) is a low molecular weight ketone solvent with the molecular formula C4H8O that provides effective solvency properties for industrial applications. This flammable liquid chemical serves as a primary solvent in coatings & construction and industrial manufacturing sectors. MEK offers high solubility characteristics and a boiling point of 175.3°F, making it suitable for paint formulations, adhesives, and chemical manufacturing processes.