General Description
Liquid. Floats on water.
Reactivity Profile
DODECYL METHACRYLATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. Tends to polymerize. Oxidizing and reducing agents may initiate polymerization. Reaction may also occur when heated [USCG, 1999].
Health Hazard
Inhalation temporarily reduces blood pressure from 5 to 25%, increases respiratory rate, decreases heart rate, and causes some EKG changes. Liquid may cause irritation of eyes and skin. May be harmful if swallowed.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Heat can induce polymerization with rapid release of energy. Sealed containers may rupture explosively.
Chemical Properties
clear colorless to yellowish liquid
Uses
Miniemulsion polymerization of laurel methacrylate has been reported. Atom transfer radical polymerization and consecutive block copolymerization with methyl methacrylate has been investigated. Preparation of LMA based monolithic columns for CEC has been reported. LMA is used as a co-stabilizer to retard Ostwald ripening effect.
Application
Dodecyl methacrylate (Dodecyl 2-methylacrylate; Lauryl methacrylate) could be a crosslinker in preparing tough polyacrylamide hydrogels. It can also be used in the following industries: In the adhesive industry, it is used for Synthetic sealants, adhesive glue agents; In the coatings industry, it is used for renewing resin/coating, coating material at low temperatures for cars; In the oil industry, it is used as a synthetic oil-soluble drag-reduction agent; In the rubber industry, it is used as a composite stabilizer; In the oil lubricant industry, it can be used as lubricating oil; In the papermaking industry, it is used as a composite stabilizer; In fiber processing industries, it is used for composite spinning oil, synthetic high waterproof, and oil-proof fabric finishing agents; In the plastic industry, it is used for the synthesis of monomers.
Production Methods
Putting the main ingredients of dodecanol and methacrylic acid into an esterification reaction vessel, adding a solvent (toluene or xylene), adding a catalyst (phosphoric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid), adding an inhibitor A (copper chloride), stirring the reaction, and obtaining a reaction material. The esterification reaction vessel is evacuated, the pressure in the esterification reaction vessel is controlled to be -0.04~-0.08Mpa, the temperature in the esterification reaction vessel is increased until reflux liquid flows out, and the temperature is kept until no reflux liquid flows out or until the acid value in the reaction solution is detected to be 30~50mgKOH/g. Then the temperature is lowered to room temperature. The reaction material is transferred to a water washing container, an alkali solution is added, the pH value of the reaction material is controlled to be 7~8, and the reaction material is allowed to stand. After the reaction material is layered, the wastewater in the lower layer is discharged. The reaction material without wastewater is transferred to a distillation container, the inhibitor B (2-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol) is added, the distillation container is evacuated, and toluene is removed by distillation to obtain the product.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
Purification Methods
Purify the ester by fractional distillation in a high vacuum. Add 0.05% of hydroquinone monomethyl ether as stabilizer. [Rehberg & Fischer Ind Eng Chem 40 1430 1948, Beilstein 2 III 1290, 2 IV 1528.]
