Substance profile
Methyl isobutyl ketone
Methyl isobutyl ketone is a liquid with a pleasant odor.
01 · Identification
What Methyl isobutyl ketone is
Methyl isobutyl ketone is a liquid with a pleasant odor. Its molecular formula is C6H12O and its molecular weight is 100.16 g/mol. It boils at 116 °C, melts at -85 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Methyl isobutyl ketone
- MIBK
- Hexone
- Isobutyl Methyl Ketone
- Isopropyl Acetone
- Isopropylacetone
- Ketone, Isobutyl Methyl
- Methyl 2-Methylpropyl Ketone
- 4-Methyl 2-Pentanone
- Methyl Iso-Butyl Ketone
- 4-Methyl-2-Oxopentane
- 4-Methyl-2-Pentanone
- 2-Methyl-4-Pentanone
- 2-Methylpropyl Methyl Ketone
- Shell Mibk
- 4-methylpentan-2-one
- isobutyl methyl ketone
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH066
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P264, P271, P280, P304, P305, P308, P312, P313, P337, P338, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Methyl isobutyl ketone 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.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 115.7 °C (240.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| 116.67 °C (242 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Melting point | -85 °C (-121 °F) | HSDB | |
| -84.44 °C (-120 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -84.72 °C (-120.5 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.8042 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 0.8004 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.7965 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water | HSDB | |
| In water, 19,000 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 16 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 5 mmHg | at 19.72 °C | CAMEO | |
| 19.9 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 17.78 °C (64 °F) | HSDB | |
| 22.78 °C (73 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 448.89 °C (840 °F) | HSDB | |
| 456.67 °C (854 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 460 °C (860 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.4 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.5 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| Vapor density | 3.45 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | 0.10 ppm | HSDB | |
| Air: 0.68 ul/L; water: 1.3 mg/L | HSDB | ||
| Odor detection limit in air: 9.70x10-6 g/L (gas). | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 302.25 °C (576.1 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Methyl isobutyl ketone
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.
Solubility
Water/air, blood/air, oil (olive oil)/air, oil/water, and oil/blood partition (or solubility) coefficients of methyl isobutyl ketone were measured by vial-equilibration in combination with gas chromatography. Partition coefficients for methyl isobutyl ketone: water/air: 79; blood/air: 90; oil/air: 926. The blood/air partition coefficients for ketones are almost in the same range as the water/air, irrespective of the oil/air partition coefficients.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Methyl isobutyl ketone
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 at Room Temperature.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible with strong oxidizers and can react vigorously with reducing agents.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE is incompatible with caustic soda and other strong alkalis, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and other strong inorganic acids, amines and oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, perchloric acid and chromium trioxide. It reacts violently with potassium tert-butoxide. It reacts vigorously with reducing materials. (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Methyl isobutyl ketone in the storage compatibility matrix →
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