N-Vinylcaprolactam

Chemical properties

N-Vinylcaprolactam is a pale yellow crystalline solid. It is a versatile reactive diluent for free radical radiation curable coatings, inks, and adhesives which are used on a wide variety of substrates such as flooring, paper, plastics and more.

The Uses of N-Vinylcaprolactam

N-Vinyl-e-caprolactam (cas# 2235-00-9) is a compound useful in organic synthesis.

Benefits

N-Vinylcaprolactam serves as a diluent when coating plastics, as it softens the surface thereby aiding adhesion of the cured film. The monomer N-Vinyl caprolactam provides fast curing and low viscosity and is relatively safe in radiation curable ink. Commercial uses of this chemical have also been reported to include use as a kinetic inhibitor for natural gas hydrates when integrated as a polymer.

General Description

N-Vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) is an organo-soluble amphiphilic material that is soluble in solvents like benzene, isobutanol, and isopropanol. It can be used in the preparation of poly(NVCL) by free-radical polymerization at a temperature higher than its melting point.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

The acute oral LD50 of vinylcaprolactam was determined to be 1114mg/kg in rats. The acute oral LD50 was determined to be 1236mg/kg in male rats and 1049mg/kg in female rats.

Potential Exposure

Consumer: N-vinylcaprolactam is used as a reactive diluent for UV-coatings, -inks and -adhesives as well as a building block for synthesis of paper coatings and will be almost exclusively incorporated into the polymer matrix within consumer products. Therefore, due to the extremely low levels of residual monomer present in consumer products, exposure and subsequent risk is unlikely.
Worker: In industrial settings, N-vinylcaprolactam is manufactured and handled primarily in closed processes which limit exposure. Based on good manufacturing processes and industrial hygiene the occupational health risk associated with N-vinylcaprolactam is low.
Environmental Exposures: N-vinylcaprolactam is inherently biodegradable and has low potential for bioaccumulation. It is soluble in water and has low potential for volatilization. Based on its physical and chemical properties, if n-vinyl caprolactam was released into the environment, it is expected to partition between water and soil. Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected.

Purification Methods

Distil it under vacuum and with 0.0015% of 4-tert-butylcatechol as stabilizer. [Beilstein 21 III/IV 3207.]