About 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)

1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, more commonly known as N-methylpyrrolidone or NMP, is a lactam, i.e., a cyclic amide that includes the group H₂NC=O as part of a ring structure.

At room temperature it is a colorless liquid. Like many amides it has an odor that is sometimes described as ‘fish-like’. It is more dense than water, though it is miscible with water, as it is with several organic solvents.

The main use of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is as a general solvent. It is a polar, aprotic solvent, meaning that it is polar (charged) but lacks the presence of a proton (H⁺). In this role it can be found as part of a number of industrial and household products such as paint strippers and cleaners to remove adhesive residue.

In industrial settings, it is used as a cleaner (degreasing and paint stripping), in battery manufacture, and in the polymer and plastics business during the manufacture of polyamides, epoxys, and polyurethane coatings.

Common uses of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)

• General solvent
• Cleaner
• Paint stripper
• Polymer manufacture

Industries

• Petrochemical (in particular in the polymer sector)
• Battery
• Paints & Coatings
• Electronics