Methyl n-Amyl Ketone (MNAK)

Product Overview

Methyl n-Amyl Ketone (MNAK), also known as 5-Methyl-2-hexanone or 2-Heptanone, is a colorless liquid designed for high-solvent demand in industrial formulations. With a molecular formula of C₇H₁₄O and a molecular weight of 114.17 g/mol, MNAK delivers strong solvency coupled with moderate volatility, enabling efficient material dissolution, pigment wetting, and coating formulation. Its boiling range of 151–153°C and vapor pressure of approximately 25 mmHg at 20°C support controlled evaporation in paint systems, clean-ups, and analytical procedures. The product exhibits a typical specific gravity of 0.807 at 20°C and a flash point of 11°C, underscoring the need for appropriate handling and storage to maintain safety and performance in process environments.

In formulation science, MNAK provides excellent solvency in organic media while showing limited water miscibility, enabling selective solvation in solvent blends. The material is commonly used as a solvent for paints and coatings, as an extraction solvent in pharmaceutical processes, as an intermediate in organic synthesis, as a cleaning agent for machinery, and as a mobile phase component in HPLC. The concise composition and purity profile, including a high assay range (min 99.0%, typical 99.8%), support reliable performance across multiple industrial workflows while enabling compliance with recognized technical standards.

Key Properties

• Property Name: Appearance – Colorless liquid
• Chemical Formula: C₇H₁₄O
• Molecular Weight: 114.17 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 151–153°C
• Specific Gravity: 0.805–0.81 at 20°C (typical 0.807)
• Flash Point: 11°C
• Vapor Pressure (20°C): 25 mmHg
• Density (25°C): 0.805 g/mL
• Refractive Index (20°C): 1.426
• Solubility: Soluble in organic solvents; insoluble in water
• Residue After Evaporation (%): 0.05–0.1%
• Chloride (Cl, ppm): Max 2 (typical 1)
• Nitrate (NO₃⁻, ppm): Max 1 (typical 0.5)
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺, ppm): Max 2 (typical 1)
• Heavy Metals (as Pb, ppm): Max 0.5 (typical 0.2)
• Iron (Fe, ppm): Max 0.5 (typical 0.1)
• Chromium (Cr, ppm): Max 0.5 (typical 0.2)
• Aluminum (Al, ppm): Max 0.5 (typical 0.2)
• pKa/Acidity: Not applicable

Common Applications

• Application Category: Solvent for Paints – Employed as a high-solvency component in the formulation of industrial coatings to improve pigment dispersion, leveling, and film formation.
• Extraction Solvent: Pharmaceutical – Used for the extraction of active pharmaceutical ingredients due to favorable solubility characteristics and controlled volatility.
• Intermediate in Organic Synthesis: Chemical Manufacturing – Serves as an organic building block for synthesis of specialty chemicals and intermediates.
• Cleaning Agent: Industrial Cleaning – Effective degreasing solvent for machinery and equipment, aiding metal surface preparation and residue removal.
• HPLC Mobile Phase: Analytical Chemistry – Component in liquid chromatography mobile phases, supporting selective separations and detector compatibility.

Safety Precautions

Handling and storage should follow strict safety practices: store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatibles, using HDPE or glass containers to prevent material interactions. MNAK is flammable; keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames, and ensure proper ventilation during use. Wear appropriate PPE including chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and protective clothing to minimize exposure through skin and eyes, and adhere to local regulatory requirements and the SDS guidance.

Additional safety considerations include adherence to exposure limits and emergency procedures: monitor for vapor accumulation in enclosed spaces, implement proper grounding and bonding during transfer, and be prepared with spill response plans and appropriate fire suppression media. In the event of contact with skin or eyes, rinse with plenty of water; for inhalation, move to fresh air and seek medical attention if symptoms persist; do not induce vomiting if ingested, and seek medical care as needed per the SDS. Transport is identified as UN 1193, Ethyl methyl ketone (MNAK), Class 3, PG II.

Benefits

✔ High Solvency – Delivers robust dissolving power for paints, coatings, and cleaning formulations, enabling efficient formulation and processing.
✔ Controlled Volatility – Moderate vapor pressure supports balanced drying behavior in coatings and analytical workflows.
✔ Purity and Compliance – ACS Reagent Grade compliant with stringent assay and impurity controls in the TDS, supporting reliable performance.