Ethyl methacrylate explained

Ethyl methacrylate is the organic compound with the formula C₂H₅O₂CC(CH₃)=CH₂. A colorless liquid, it is a common monomer for the preparation of acrylate polymers.^[1] It is typically polymerized under free-radical conditions.^[2]

Ethyl methacrylate was first obtained by treating ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate with phosphorus pentachloride in an apparent dehydration reaction.^[3]

Environmental issues and health hazards

The related methyl and butyl methacrylates have respective acute LD50s 10 and 20 g/kg (oral, rat);^[1] a linear extrapolation suggests that ethyl methacrylate would have LD50 approximately 13 g/kg.

Acrylate esters irritate the eyes and can cause blindness.^[1]

See also

• Methyl methacrylate
• Butyl methacrylate

References

1. .
2. Controlled Radical Polymerization of Methacrylic Monomers in the Presence of a Bis(ortho-chelated) Arylnickel(II) Complex and Different Activated Alkyl Halides. Granel, C.. Dubois . Ph.. Jérôme . R.. Teyssié . Ph.. Macromolecules. 1996. 29. 27. 8576–8582. 10.1021/ma9608380. 1996MaMol..29.8576G.
3. Justus Liebigs Annalen der Chemie. 136. 12. Untersuchungen über Säuren aus der Acrylsäure-Reihe; 1) Umwandlung der Säuren aus der Milchsäure-Reihe in die der Acrylsäure-Reihe. E. Frankland, B. F. Duppa. 1865. 10.1002/jlac.18651360102.