Substance profile
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is a clear liquid with a mild amine odor.
01 · Identification
What N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is a clear liquid with a mild amine odor. Its molecular formula is C5H9NO and its molecular weight is 99.13 g/mol. It boils at 202 °C, melts at -25 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as teratogens.
02 · Identifiers
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone identifiers and molecular data
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone CAS number and EC number
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
- 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
03 · GHS classification
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone pictograms and signal word
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 | H335 | GHS07 |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H360D | May damage the unborn child. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. 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 N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
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 N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 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
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 9 precautionary statements to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. 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.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
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
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 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 | N -метил-2-пиролидон 1-метил-2-пиролидон |
| Spanish español | N -metil-2-pirrolidona 1-metil-2-pirrolidona |
| Czech čeština | N -methyl-2-pyrrolidon 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-on |
| Danish dansk | N-methyl-2-pyrrolidon 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidon |
| German Deutsch | N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidon 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidon |
| Estonian eesti | N -metüül-2-pürrolidoon 1-metüül-2-pürrolidoon |
| Greek ελληνικά | N-μεθυλο-2-πυρρολιδόνη 1-μεθυλο-2-πυρρολιδόνη |
| English English | N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone |
| French français | N -méthyl-2-pyrrolidone 1-méthyl-2-pyrrolidone |
| Croatian hrvatski | N-metil-2-pirolidon 1-metil- 2-pirolidon |
| Italian italiano | N-metil-2-pirrolidone 1-metil-2-pirrolidone |
| Latvian latviešu | N -metil-2-pirolidons 1-metil-2-pirolidons |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | N-metil-2-pirolidonas 1-metil-2-pirolidonas |
| Hungarian magyar | N-metil-2-pirrolidon 1-metil-2-pirrolidon |
| Maltese Malti | N-Metil-2-pirrolidone 1-Metil-2-pirrolidone |
| Dutch Nederlands | N -methyl-2-pyrrolidon 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidon |
| Polish polski | N -metylo-2-pirolidon 1-metylo-2-pirolidon |
| Portuguese português | N -metil-2-pirrolidona 1-metil-2-pirrolidona |
| Romanian română | N-metil-2-pirolidonă 1-metil-2-pirolidonă |
| Slovak slovenčina | N-metyl-2-pyrolidón 1-metylpyrolidín-2-ón |
| Slovenian slovenščina | N-metil-2-pirolidon 1-metil-2-pirolidon |
| Finnish suomi | N-metyyli-2-pyrrolidoni 1-metyyli-2-pyrrolidoni |
| Swedish svenska | N-metyl-2-pyrrolidon 1-metyl-2-pyrrolidon |
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
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
- May damage the unborn child.
- May cause respiratory irritation.
- Causes skin irritation.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF IN EYES:
- Get medical advice/attention.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone health hazards and exposure limits
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone hazard summary
It is absorbed through the skin; a severe eye irritant; [CSH, p. 291] It is mainly an irritant, but it can cause severe contact dermatitis due to prolonged contact. [Kanerva, p. 1816] Experimental animals experience lethargy and respiratory difficulty after inhalation. [HSDB] Some animal studies found fetal loss and birth defects after high doses during early pregnancy. [Frazier, p. 345] NMP is a cyclic amide used as a solvent, catalyst, formulating agent, and graffiti remover. Significant absorption occurs through the skin. 2-HMSI can be used for biological monitoring of workers. [Akesson B, Carnerup MA, Jonsson BAG. Evaluation of exposure biomarkers from percutaneous absorption of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Scand J Work Environ 2004;30(4):306-312] In high-dose animal studies, adverse effects include CNS depression and changes to the liver, kidneys, and blood cells. [ACGIH] A skin and eye irritant; [ICSC] Danger of cutaneous absorption; [AIHA]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
08 · Physical and chemical properties
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 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.
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 202 °C (395.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 202.22 °C (396 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 202 °C (395.6 °F) | ICSC |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -25 °C (-13 °F) | HSDB | |
| -22.78 °C (-9 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -24.4 °C (-11.9 °F) | ICSC |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.03 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.027 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.03 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with water, alcohol, ether, acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform, benzene | HSDB | |
| Miscible with castor oil | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with lower alcohols and ketones | HSDB |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.345 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 0.2925 mmHg | at 25 °C | ICSC |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 95.56 °C (204 °F) | HSDB | |
| 86 °C (186.8 °F) | ICSC |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 346.11 °C (655 °F) | HSDB | |
| 245 °C (473 °F) | ICSC |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.3 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Expolsion Prevention: Above 96 °C use a closed system and ventilation. | HSDB | ||
| Above 96 °C explosive vapor/air mixtures may be formed. | HSDB |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 9.5 % by volume | ICSC |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 3.4 (air = 1) | HSDB |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 4.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor Threshold High: 10.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor thresholds from CSH | Haz-Map |
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 451 °C (843.8 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 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.
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone fire potential
Combustible when exposed to heat, open flame, or powerful oxidizers.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone storage and handling
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone safe storage
Dry. Ventilation along the floor. Separated from strong oxidants, strong acids, strong bases, copper and plastics.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone storage conditions
Small quantities can be stored in polyethylene, polypropylene, or clear glass bottles.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone incompatible materials
Reacts with sulfur or carbon disulfide at high temperatures and pressures.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone reactivity
This amine is a very mild chemical base. It does tend to neutralize acids to form salts plus water. The amount of heat that is evolved per mole of amine in a neutralization is largely independent of the strength of the amine as a base. Amines may be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated by amines in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone?
The CAS number of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is 872-50-4. Its EC number is 212-828-1.
What is the chemical formula of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone?
The molecular formula of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is C5H9NO and its molecular weight is 99.13 g/mol.
What does a N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone carries the pictograms Health hazard and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 95.56 °C (204 °F) (HSDB).
Is N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. 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 boiling point of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone?
The boiling point reported for N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is 202 °C (395.6 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone?
The melting point reported for N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is -25 °C (-13 °F) (HSDB).
How should N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone be stored?
Small quantities can be stored in polyethylene, polypropylene, or clear glass bottles. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
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