Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of fine chemicals. Headquartered in Jinan, Shandong, China, we are committed to delivering high-quality products to our global partners. Currently, over 90% of our products are exported to developed markets, including North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East.
Product Description
2-Ethyl-4-methylimidazole (CAS: 931-36-2), also known as EMI-24, is a heterocyclic organic compound and an important substituted imidazole derivative. It typically appears as a pale yellow crystalline solid or a colorless to yellowish viscous liquid (when melted) with a faint amine-like odor. It is miscible with water and most common organic solvents, featuring high thermal stability, moderate reactivity, and strong basicity. As a versatile curing agent and catalyst, it is widely utilized in epoxy resin systems, coatings, adhesives, and as a pharmaceutical and chemical intermediate, with the advantages of low volatility, low toxicity, and good compatibility with epoxy formulations[4][6].
Uses
Epoxy Resin Curing Agent (Main Use): It is an excellent medium-temperature curing agent for epoxy resins, with good miscibility with E-51 epoxy resin and F-44 phenolic epoxy resin. It is widely used in casting, bonding, impregnation, laminating, and encapsulation of epoxy materials, such as epoxy adhesives, epoxy organic silicon resin coatings, and composite materials for the electronic industry. The recommended dosage is 2–7 parts per 100g of resin, with a pot life of 60–100 minutes for the resin compound. Typical curing conditions include 60°C/2h, 70°C/4h, or 70°C/1h + 150°C/4h; the heat distortion temperature of the cured product ranges from 150–170°C, and its heat oxidation resistance and chemical resistance (especially acid resistance) are superior to those of m-phenylenediamine curing agents.
Catalyst & Cross-linking Agent: Acts as a catalyst to promote the curing of blends of hyperbranched aromatic epoxy polymers and bisphenol F diglycidyl ether. It also serves as a cross-linking agent for epoxy resins to synthesize network polymers with improved thermal resistance and physical properties, and can be used as a curing agent for polysiloxane episulfide resin (PSER).
Other Applications: Used as a pharmaceutical and chemical intermediate in the synthesis of drugs, dyes, and other organic compounds. It also acts as a corrosion inhibitor and a component of ionic liquids, and is applied in the electronic industry for epoxy encapsulation of electronic components. Additionally, it serves as an analytical standard in chemical research and related reaction mechanism studies.
Molecular Formula & Structure
- Molecular Formula: C?H??N?
- Molecular Weight: 110.16 g/mol
- IUPAC Name: 2-Ethyl-4-methyl-1H-imidazole
- Synonyms: EMI-24; 4-Methyl-2-ethylimidazole; 2-Ethyl-4-methyl-1H-imidazole; 2-Ethyl-4-methylimidazole
- EINECS Number: 213-234-5
- MDL Number: MFCD00005193
- Chemical Structure: It has a five-membered imidazole ring with an ethyl group at the 2-position and a methyl group at the 4-position, which is the basis for its basicity, reactivity, and compatibility with epoxy resins. Its SMILES string is CCC1NC(C)C(NH)1.
Physical & Chemical Properties
- Appearance: Pale yellow crystalline solid or colorless to yellowish viscous liquid (when melted); faint amine-like odor; no visible impurities; can exist as a supercooled liquid at room temperature[5][6].
- Melting Point: 46–54 °C (lit.); some specifications show 40 °C or 47–54 °C, depending on purity[3][5].
- Boiling Point: 292–295 °C (lit.); 164 °C at 20 mmHg (reduced pressure).
- Density: 0.975 g/cm3 at 25 °C (lit.).
- Flash Point: 137 °C (closed cup); 278.6 °F (closed cup).
- Refractive Index: n??/D 1.4990–1.5030 (for high-purity grade).
- Solubility: Miscible with water, ethanol, methanol, and most organic solvents; has good solubility in common organic solvents used in industrial production.
- Stability: Stable under normal temperature and dry conditions; sensitive to air and moisture; should be stored in an inert atmosphere; incompatible with strong oxidants and strong acids; stable in neutral and weakly alkaline environments; no obvious decomposition under proper storage conditions.
- Chemical Traits: It is a weakly basic compound with strong basicity; can form stable complexes with metal ions; readily participates in addition and substitution reactions due to the active imidazole ring; its good compatibility with epoxy resins enables it to uniformly disperse in the resin system and promote curing reaction efficiently.
- Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed (H302); causes skin irritation (H315) and serious eye damage (H318); hazard symbols: Xn, Xi; hazard class codes: 22-41; safety instructions: 26-39. LD?? (oral, rat) is not explicitly reported, but it is considered low-toxic. Avoid long-term or repeated contact; wear appropriate protective equipment during operation.
Synthesis & Storage
- Synthesis: There are two main industrial synthesis methods: ① Cyclization and dehydrogenation: 1,2-propanediamine and propionitrile react under the catalysis of sulfur to generate 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazoline, which is then dehydrogenated under the catalysis of activated nickel at 180°C for 8 hours to obtain the product. The yield of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazoline is about 70%, and the yield of the dehydrogenation step is 70%–80%. ② Environmentally friendly method: Methyl propionate and 1,2-propanediamine are refluxed to generate aminopropylpropionamide, which undergoes dehydration cyclization and medium-temperature dehydrogenation to obtain the product, with a total yield of up to 87.5%. The crude product is purified by vacuum distillation to meet industrial and high-purity standards.
- Storage: Sealed in dry, airtight containers; stored under inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place at < 15 °C (recommended); strictly avoid contact with air and moisture; keep away from strong oxidants and strong acids; shelf life is about 2 years under proper storage conditions; packaging options include 0.5 kg glass bottles and 50 kg steel drums; avoid mixing with food and feed.
- Safety: Operate in a well-ventilated environment; wear protective gear (N95 mask, gloves, goggles); avoid inhalation of dust, vapor, and skin/eye contact; do not eat, drink, or smoke during operation; wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling; if accidentally swallowed, seek medical attention immediately; if in contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention; dispose of waste in accordance with hazardous chemical regulations.
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