Methyl Ethyl Ketone

Methyl ethyl ketone MEK (2-butanone) is a colorless liquid similar to acetone, but its boiling point is higher (79.5°C). The production of MEK from n-butenes is a liquid-phase oxidation process similar to that used to produce acetaldehyde from ethylene using a Wacker-type catalyst (PdCl₂/CuCl₂). The reaction conditions are similar to those for ethylene.

The yield of MEK is approximately 88%:

Methyl ethyl ketone may also be produced by the catalyzed dehydrogenation of sec-butanol over zinc oxide or brass at about 500°C. The yield from this process is approximately 95%. MEK is used mainly as a solvent in vinyl and acrylic coatings, in nitrocellulose lacquers, and in adhesives. It is a selective solvent in dewaxing lubricating oils where it dissolves the oil and leaves out the wax. MEK is also used to synthesize various compounds such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, a polymerization catalyst used to form acrylic and polyester polymers and methyl pentynol by reacting with acetylene:

Methyl pentynol is a solvent for polyamides, a corrosion inhibitor, and an ingredient in the synthesis of hypnotics.