1.

1PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
MIBK is a colorless liquid with a less pronounced ketone like odor. Some physical properties are given
below.
Melting point -80 0C
Boiling point 116 0C
Density₄20 0.8004
nD20 1.3959
Enthalpy of evaporation 36.15 kJ/mol
Specific heat (20 0C) 1922 kJ/g
Enthalpy of combustion 3740 kJ/mol
Flash point (DIN 51 755) 14 0C
Ignition temperature 475 0C
Ignition class (VED) G1
Explosion class (VED) 1
Solubility at 25 0C MIBK in water Water in MIBK 1.7 wt.% 1.9 wt.%
MIBK is poorly soluble in water but is miscible with common organic solvents. It forms an
azeotrope with water and a large number of solvents. For example, the azeotrope with water (bp
87.9 0C) contains 75.7 wt.% and that with n-butanol (bp 114.4 0C) 70 wt.% MIBK.
MIBK undergoes auto-oxidation to form peroxide. After evaporation of MIBK-water mixture in
presence of air, a dangerous, increasing concentration of peroxide in the aqueous phase has been
reported [1].
In condensation reactions with carbonyl compounds, the α-methyl group usually reacts. Only
formaldehyde is able to undergo condensation reactions with the α-methylene group. The industrial
reactions such as hydrogenation and reductive amination may be carried out with the keto group.
1.2USES
More than 60% of the MIBK produced in the United States is used as a protective coating solvent.
Significant volumes are also used in the manufacture of rubber anti-ozonates, in rare metal
extraction, as a solvent for pesticides, in adhesives and pharmaceuticals and as a denaturant for
ethyl alcohol. A profile of MIBK used in the United States in 1980 is given in Table 1 [4].
Table 1. MIBK uses in United States in 1980
Use Percentage
Surface coatings (industrial, lacquers) 68
Rubber anti-ozonates 8
Rare metal extraction 8
miscellaneous 6

0
Export 10
Total 100
Surface Coating:
In surface coatings, MIBK is often used as the medium-boiling component of nitrocellulose lacquer
solvent blends. It is frequently blended with cheaper aromatic solvents to achieve blended active
solvent characteristics in high solid lacquers.
Due to its strong solvency and low density, MIBK finds application in the higher-solid coating
systems. MIBK has demonstrated that it can be successfully used in high solids acrylic,
acrylic/urethane polyesters, and oil-modified polyesters formulations. These high-solids coatings
are required in many applications where EPA air quality regulations limit the maximum weight of
organic solvent per unit volume of coating. Because of its strong solvency, MIBK can be used to
increase solids content of the coating solution while maintaining desirable viscosity characteristics.
A further use is as a solvent for dyes in printing industry.
Rare Metal Extraction:
A rapidly growing field of application for MIBK is in the recovery, separation and purification of
rare transition elements, usually as their complexes. Typical applications include zirconium from
hafnium for nuclear reactors, tantalum from niobium for electronics and nuclear applications,
tungsten from molybdenum, and uranium from thorium.
Others:
A derivative of MIBK, n-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-n-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine is used as an
antioxidant for rubber. Miscellaneous end uses for MIBK include pharmaceuticals, where it is used
by major antibiotic producers in the extraction and purification of penicillin from the fermentation
broth, in adhesive formulations based on nitrile rubber and acrylics, and in pesticides, in the
removal of paraffins from mineral oil, for the production of lubricating oils where it is used as a
solvent for active ingredients. The importance of MIBK as an intermediate for synthesis is
relatively low. The most important product is 4-methyl-2-pentanone obtained by hydrogenation of
ketone. It has some importance as a polymerization initiator for ethylene and for handling of
unsaturated polyester resins [1].
3. STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION
MIBK is available with a purity of >99%. Typical specification is given below
Content >99 wt.%
Water content (ASTM D 1364) 0.1 % max.
Hazen colour no. (APHA, DIN 53 409) 10 max.
Nonvolatile residue (ASTM D 1353) 0.002 wt.% max.
Boiling range (DIN 51 751) 114-117 0C
1
Acid content (as acetic acid) 0.002 wt.% max.