Substance profile
3-Methyl-2-butanone
3-Methyl-2-butanone is a colorless liquid with the odor threshold lies between 1.9 and 3.1 ppm (6.8 and 11 mg/cu m).
01 · Identification
What 3-Methyl-2-butanone is
3-Methyl-2-butanone is a colorless liquid with the odor threshold lies between 1.9 and 3.1 ppm (6.8 and 11 mg/cu m). Its molecular formula is C5H10O and its molecular weight is 86.13 g/mol. It boils at 94.3 °C, melts at -93.1 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
3-Methyl-2-butanone identifiers and molecular data
3-Methyl-2-butanone CAS number and EC number
3-Methyl-2-butanone molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for 3-Methyl-2-butanone
- 3-methylbutan-2-one
- methyl isopropyl ketone
03 · GHS classification
3-Methyl-2-butanone hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
3-Methyl-2-butanone pictograms and signal word
3-Methyl-2-butanone hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
3-Methyl-2-butanone hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to 3-Methyl-2-butanone. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for 3-Methyl-2-butanone
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of 3-Methyl-2-butanone issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
3-Methyl-2-butanone precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 5 precautionary statements to 3-Methyl-2-butanone. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
3-Methyl-2-butanone name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | 3-метилбутан-2-он изопропилметилкетон |
| Spanish español | 3-Metilbutan-2-ona metilisopropilcetona |
| Czech čeština | 3-methylbutan-2-on methylisopropylketon |
| Danish dansk | 3-methyl-2-butanon ethylisopropylketon |
| German Deutsch | 3-Methylbutan-2-on Methylisopropylketon |
| Estonian eesti | 3-metüülbutaan-2-oon metüülisopropüülketoon |
| Greek ελληνικά | 3-μεθυλοβoυταν-2-όλη μεθυλισοπροπυλοκετόνη |
| English English | 3-methylbutan-2-one methyl isopropyl ketone |
| French français | 3-méthylbutan-2-one méthylisopropylcétone |
| Croatian hrvatski | 3-metilbutan-2-on metil-izopropil-keton |
| Italian italiano | 3-metil-2-butanone metilisopropilchetone |
| Latvian latviešu | 3-metilbutān-2-ons metilizopropilketons |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | 3-metil-2-butanonas metilizopropilketonas |
| Hungarian magyar | 3-metilbután-2-on metil-izopropil-keton |
| Maltese Malti | 3-metilbutan-2-on keton tal-isopropil tal-metil |
| Dutch Nederlands | 3-methylbutaan-2-on methylisopropylketon |
| Polish polski | 3-metylobutan-2-on keton izopropylowo-metylowy |
| Portuguese português | 3-metil-2-butanona isopropilmetilcetona |
| Romanian română | 3-metil-butan-2-onă metil-izopropil-cetonă |
| Slovak slovenčina | 3-metylbután-2-ón izopropyl(metyl)ketón |
| Slovenian slovenščina | 3-metilbutan-2-on metil izopropil keton |
| Finnish suomi | 3-metyylibutan-2-oni metyyli-isopropyyliketoni |
| Swedish svenska | 3-metylbutan-2-on metylisopropylketon |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
3-Methyl-2-butanone GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for 3-Methyl-2-butanone, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
3-Methyl-2-butanone
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open 3-Methyl-2-butanone in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
3-Methyl-2-butanone health hazards and exposure limits
3-Methyl-2-butanone occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | none See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 200 ppm (705 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 200 ppm (705 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | N.D. | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
3-Methyl-2-butanone properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
3-Methyl-2-butanone boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 94.33 °C (201.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 92.78 °C (199 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 93.89 °C (201 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
3-Methyl-2-butanone melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -93.1 °C (-135.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -92.22 °C (-134 °F) | NIOSH |
3-Methyl-2-butanone density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.81 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8501 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.8051 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
3-Methyl-2-butanone solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether; very soluble in acetone; soluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | |
| Very slight | NIOSH | ||
| In water, 5.237X10+4 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
3-Methyl-2-butanone vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 42 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 67.21 mmHg | CAMEO | ||
| 52.5 mmHg | at 25 °C, extrapolated | HSDB |
3-Methyl-2-butanone flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 11.11 °C (52 °F) | HSDB | |
| 6.11 °C (43 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -1 °C (30.2 °F) | ICSC |
3-Methyl-2-butanone autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | -16.78 °C (1.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 475 °C (887 °F) | ICSC |
3-Methyl-2-butanone lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.2 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Lower limit 9.0 °F; Upper limit 0.85 °F | HSDB | ||
| Combustible Liquid | NIOSH |
3-Methyl-2-butanone upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 8 % by volume | ICSC |
3-Methyl-2-butanone vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 3 (air = 1) | ICSC |
3-Methyl-2-butanone odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 1.9 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor Threshold High: 4.8 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| [ICSC] Odor threshold from CHEMINFO | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
3-Methyl-2-butanone fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
3-Methyl-2-butanone fire potential
Flammable when exposed to heat or flame
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
3-Methyl-2-butanone storage and handling
3-Methyl-2-butanone safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from flammable substances and strong oxidants. Well closed. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
3-Methyl-2-butanone storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Store in cool place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
3-Methyl-2-butanone incompatible materials
Vapors may form explosive mixture with air.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
3-Methyl-2-butanone reactivity
Ketones, such as 3-METHYLBUTAN-2-ONE, are reactive with many acids and bases liberating heat and flammable gases (e.g., H2). The amount of heat may be sufficient to start a fire in the unreacted portion of the ketone. Ketones react with reducing agents such as hydrides, alkali metals, and nitrides to produce flammable gas (H2) and heat. Ketones are incompatible with isocyanates, aldehydes, cyanides, peroxides, and anhydrides. They react violently with aldehydes, HNO3, HNO3 + H2O2, and HClO4.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 3-Methyl-2-butanone in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
3-Methyl-2-butanone UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
3-Methyl-2-butanone under UN 2397 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-METHYLBUTAN-2-ONE | 3 | F1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 3 is “Flammable liquids” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Methylbutan-2-one | 3 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 3 is “Flammable and combustible liquid” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
3-Methyl-2-butanone — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of 3-Methyl-2-butanone?
The CAS number of 3-Methyl-2-butanone is 563-80-4. Its EC number is 209-264-3.
What is the chemical formula of 3-Methyl-2-butanone?
The molecular formula of 3-Methyl-2-butanone is C5H10O and its molecular weight is 86.13 g/mol.
What does a 3-Methyl-2-butanone label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for 3-Methyl-2-butanone carries the pictogram Flame and the signal word is Danger.
Is 3-Methyl-2-butanone flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns 3-Methyl-2-butanone H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is 11.11 °C (52 °F) (HSDB).
Is 3-Methyl-2-butanone a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for 3-Methyl-2-butanone. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for 3-Methyl-2-butanone?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for 3-Methyl-2-butanone is none See Appendix G (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of 3-Methyl-2-butanone?
The boiling point reported for 3-Methyl-2-butanone is 94.33 °C (201.8 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of 3-Methyl-2-butanone?
The melting point reported for 3-Methyl-2-butanone is -93.1 °C (-135.6 °F) (HSDB).
How should 3-Methyl-2-butanone be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns 3-Methyl-2-butanone the storage statement P403. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Store in cool place. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to 3-Methyl-2-butanone
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