Butanone


 * Butanone **, also known as ** methyl ethyl ketone ** or ** MEK ** , is an organic compound with the [|formula] CH 3 C(OH)CH 2 CH 3 . This colorless liquid ketone has a sharp, sweet odor reminiscent of [|butterscotch] and acetone . It is produced industrially on a large scale, and also occurs in trace amounts in nature. It is soluble in water and is commonly used as an industrial solvent. It is an effective and common solvents, used in the process of gums, resins, and coatings in vinyl films. They use in to produce plastics, textiles,glues, and paraffin wax. Butanone is also bio-synthesized by some trees and is in fruits and vegetables in small amounts. It is also released into the air from car and truck exhausts. This is a irratant to humans for their noses and eyes, it is only seriously hazardous when in very high levels. When it is inhaled it causes birth defects. Yet it has been taken off of the hazardous air pollutants in 2005 and seen as a volatile organic compound due to its contribution to the tropospheric ozone layer (ground level).

As a solvent
Butanone is an effective and common solvent and is used in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose coatings and in vinyl films.For this reason it finds use in the manufacture of plastics, textiles, in the production of paraffin wax, and in household products such as lacquer, varnishes, paint remover, a denaturing agent for denatured alcohol, glues, and as a cleaning agent. It has similar solvent properties to acetone but boils at a higher temperature and has a significantly slower evaporation rate. Butanone is also used in dry erase markers as the solvent of the erasable dye.

As a welding agent
As butanone dissolves polystyrene, it is sold as "polystyrene cement" for use in connecting together parts of scale model kits. Though often considered anadhesive, it is actually functioning as a welding agent in this context.

Other uses
Butanone is the precursor to methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, which is a catalyst for some polymerization reactions such as crosslinking of unsaturated polyester resins.



Butanone Oxime

The scent of Butterscotch

Flammability
Butanone can react with most oxidizing materials, and can produce fires. It is moderately explosive; it requires only a small flame or spark to cause a vigorous reaction. Butanone fires should be extinguished with [|carbon dioxide], dry chemicals or alcohol foam. Concentrations in the air high enough to be flammable are also intolerable to humans due to the irritating nature of the vapour.

Health effects
Butanone is an [|irritant], causing irritation to the eyes and nose of humans, but serious health effects in animals have been seen only at very high levels. When inhaled, these effects included [|birth defects]. Butanone is listed as a Table II precursor under the [|United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances]. On December 19, 2005, the [|U. S. Environmental Protection Agency] removed butanone from the list of [|hazardous air pollutants] (HAPs). After technical review and consideration of public comments, EPA concluded that potential exposures to butanone emitted from industrial processes may not reasonably be anticipated to cause human health or environmental problems. Emissions of butanone will continue to be regulated as a volatile organic compound because of its contribution to the formation of tropospheric (ground-level) [|ozone].