Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) Technical Grade

Product Overview

Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) Technical Grade is a colorless, flammable ketone used as a versatile solvent across paints, coatings, and chemical manufacturing. It features the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O and a boiling range of 116–118°C, enabling efficient dissolution of a broad spectrum of organic materials while supporting streamlined distillation and solvent recovery processes. With a density around 0.805 g/mL at 25°C and a low water content, MIBK provides consistent formulation performance and purity for demanding industrial applications. The solvent’s sweet, ketone-like odor is characteristic of MIBK, and its favorable solvency profile makes it a preferred choice for solvent blends and process chemistry. This product is prepared and shipped under controlled conditions to minimize oxidation and degradation, ensuring reliability in manufacturing environments.

Technical Grade MIBK is suitable for a range of industrial processes, including coating formulations and pharmaceutical extraction workflows, where high purity and controlled impurity levels are critical. It supports high solvency power while maintaining compatibility with standard equipment materials (e.g., HDPE or glass containers) and established safety and handling practices. The material is also employed as an intermediate in chemical synthesis and as an HPLC mobile phase component in analytical laboratories, reflecting its well-established role in both production and research settings.

Key Properties

• Property Name: CAS 108-10-1
• Chemical Formula: C₆H₁₂O
• Molecular Weight: 100.16 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 116–118°C
• Specific Gravity (20°C): 0.802–0.81
• Water Content (Max): 0.05%
• Iron (Fe): ≤ 5 mg/kg (ppm)
• Heavy Metals (Total): ≤ 10 mg/kg (ppm)
• Chloride (Cl⁻): ≤ 25 mg/kg (ppm)
• Lead (Pb): ≤ 0.5 mg/kg (ppm)
• Zinc (Zn): ≤ 2 mg/kg (ppm)
• Copper (Cu): ≤ 1 mg/kg (ppm)
• Nickel (Ni): ≤ 1 mg/kg (ppm)
• Chromium (Cr): ≤ 1 mg/kg (ppm)
• Est. Refractive Index (20°C): 1.426
• Viscosity (25°C): 0.54 cP
• Density (25°C): 0.805 g/mL
• Vapor Pressure (20°C): 30 mmHg
• Partition Coefficient (logP): 0.7
• Decomposition Temperature: ≥ 320°C

Common Applications

• Solvent for Paints and Coatings: Used in formulation of paints, coatings, and adhesives due to excellent solvency properties.
• Extraction Solvent: Employed for extraction of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other compounds in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Intermediate in Chemical Synthesis: Serves as a versatile building block in the synthesis of diverse chemicals and formulations.
• Cleaning Agent: Utilized for industrial equipment and surface cleaning due to strong solvency and rapid evaporation.
• HPLC Mobile Phase: Component of mobile phases in high-performance liquid chromatography for separation of organic compounds.

Safety Precautions

Handle and store MIBK in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and open flames. Use containers made of compatible materials such as HDPE or glass, and keep them tightly closed when not in use to minimize evaporation. Wear appropriate PPE, including chemical splash goggles, gloves resistant to ketones, and flame-resistant clothing as required by your site procedures, and utilize proper ventilation or fume hoods during transfer and handling.

Additional safety considerations include monitoring for exposure and implementing standard operating procedures aligned with SDS guidance. MIBK is highly flammable with an established flash point of 11°C, and its vapors can form ignitable mixtures. In case of a spill, evacuate the area, ventilate, and follow chemical spill response protocols. Refer to the SDS and local regulations for specific emergency procedures and disposal requirements.

Benefits

✔ High solvency power – Effective dissolution of a broad range of organic compounds, enabling versatile formulation and processing.
✔ Purity and consistency – ACS-relevant quality with controlled impurity limits and tight specification ranges supporting reproducible results.