Ethyl methacrylate

Ethyl methacrylate (CAS 97-63-2), commonly abbreviated as EMA, is a reactive methacrylate monomer used as a building block in polymer synthesis and as a flavoring agent in food applications.

It functions as a polymerizable unit in acrylic and methacrylic resin systems, and at trace levels contributes fruity, rum-like flavor notes to food and beverage formulations.

In polymer manufacturing, EMA is incorporated into acrylic emulsions, copolymers, and thermoplastic resins to modify flexibility, adhesion, and film-forming characteristics in coatings and sealants.

Its reactivity profile makes it suitable for cross-linking and curing systems where controlled glass transition temperature is a formulation target for industrial applications.

In plastics compounding, it serves as a comonomer to improve impact resistance and processing behavior in specialty polymer blends and various high-performance materials.

At food-grade purity, EMA is used by flavor houses as a character-impact compound in artificial fruit and dairy flavor compositions to enhance specific aromatic profiles.

Ethyl methacrylate is supplied as a stabilized liquid, typically inhibited with hydroquinone monomethyl ether to prevent premature polymerization during storage and transport.

Technical and polymer grades are the most common commercial forms, with purity levels typically at 99% or higher, meeting rigorous industrial and chemical manufacturing requirements.