Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)

What is Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)? 

Methyl Ethyl Ketone is an organic compound often abbreviated to MEK which is used in many industrial production processes. It is a colorless liquid with a smell bit like mint mixed with acetone, and as a ketone (it contains a carbonyl group bonded to two hydrocarbon groups). Its vapors are heavier than air, it's non-reactive with water, and is a stable organic compound under normal conditions. It is a natural solvent, making it a key component in many different chemical mixes and surface treatments. It is an isomer of the tetrahydrofuran, which is a popular solvent. 

The other name of MEK butanone, 2-butanone, ethyl methyl ketone, and methyl acetone.

Physical Property Of MEK: -

Butanone Formula	C4H8O
Molecular Weight	72.107 g/mol
Density	0.8050 g/ml
Melting Point	-86°C (187K)
Boiling point	79.64°C (352.79K)
Acidity (pka)	14.7
Heat of Combustion	8084 Cal/g

Production Of Methyl Ethyl Ketone: -

This process is in two steps. Methyl ethyl ketone manufacture by secondary-butyl alcohol dehydrogenation is a two- step process where the first step involves the hydration of butanes to produce secondary-butyl alcohol. 

The second step consists of the dehydrogenation of secondary-butyl alcohol yielding MEK and hydrogen gas.  The dehydrogenation of 2-butanol takes place using a catalyst like copper, zinc, or bronze. It is maintained at temperature in between 400°C to 550°C.  This method is used to produce approximately 700 million kilogram yearly.

Other Method: - 

The other method that is not much popular but can yield methyl acetone is Wacker oxidation of isobutyl benzene and 2-butene. The modification of the Cumene process can lead to the production phenol and a mixture of butanone and acetone. The liquid-phase oxidation of Fischer-Tropsch and heavy Naphtha reaction can generate mixed oxygenate streams, which can lead to the extraction of methyl ketone using fractionation. 

 

Hazards of Methyl Ethyl Ketone: -

MEK poses some hazards, including:

1.     Flammability - Methyl ethyl ketone is highly flammable and reacts with many oxidizing materials and is explosive, needing only a spark or hot surface to cause a reaction. It's also possible for containers of MEK to burst or explode when heated, due to excessive pressure build-up. Using alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide or dry powder will extinguish the fire.

2.     Irritant - MEK causes serious irritation to the eyes and nose. It is also a component of tobacco smoke

 

Uses of Methyl Ethyl Ketone: -

The primary use of methyl ethyl ketone is as a solvent. It is because of this that it's one of the most important commercially-produced ketones, second only to acetone - in fact, the two chemical compounds have much in common. Because methyl ethyl ketone is such a highly effective solvent, it is a common ingredient in processing resins, coatings, and mixtures; as well as manufacturing plastics, inks, and dyes. Methyl ethyl ketone is also used in the manufacture of paints, to clean electronic components, as a flavouring agent in food, and to clean surgical instruments as it can effectively kill bacteria.

 

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Blog by -  Saumeen Phansalkar  | Veena Rahalkar | Aditya Rathod | Shruti Raybole

Department of Chemical Engineering | Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune.