N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP)
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) is the high-performance amide solvent behind some of the most technically demanding processes in modern manufacturing, from lithium-ion battery electrodes to aramid fiber spinning.
Chelora Chemicals supplies battery-grade and industrial NMP with full disclosure of its reproductive-toxicity classification and applicable REACH-aligned exposure-control guidance.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 872-50-4
- Chemical Formula
- C5H9NO
- Molecular Weight
- 99.13 g/mol
- Appearance
- Colorless to pale-yellow liquid, mild amine-like odor
- Boiling Point
- 202-204 °C
- Melting Point
- -24 °C
Note: NMP's very high boiling point and low vapor pressure at ambient temperature distinguish it from most industrial solvents, allowing it to remain in contact with a substrate far longer during processing.
What N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) is used for
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) is a cyclic amide (lactam) solvent manufactured from gamma-butyrolactone and methylamine. Its unusual combination of high polarity, high boiling point, low volatility and broad solvency for both polymers and inorganic salts makes it indispensable in several of the most demanding processes in modern materials manufacturing.
NMP's largest and fastest-growing application is as the binder solvent in lithium-ion battery electrode manufacturing, where it dissolves polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder to form the slurry coated onto cathode (and some anode) current collectors. It is also essential to aramid fiber production (Kevlar, Twaron), where it dissolves the rigid-rod polymer for spinning, and is widely used as a paint and coating stripper, in the Purisol process for acid-gas (hydrogen sulfide) removal, in hydrocarbon extraction (butadiene and acetylene purification), and in pharmaceutical formulation.
NMP is classified as a reproductive toxicant (Category 1B) and is subject to REACH restriction in the European Union, requiring employers to keep occupational exposure below a specified Derived No-Effect Level (DNEL) unless equivalent protection is demonstrated. Chelora Chemicals supplies NMP with complete disclosure of this classification and supporting documentation for customer exposure-management programs.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless to pale-yellow liquid, mild odor |
| Purity (battery/electronic grade) | ≥ 99.5% min, low water and metal-ion content |
| Boiling Point | 202-204 °C |
| Melting Point | -24 °C |
| Water Content (battery grade) | ≤ 500 ppm typical maximum |
| Vapor Pressure | Low; ~0.03 kPa at 20 °C |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial grade material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document. If your process demands a tighter specification, send us the specification and we will quote against it rather than against a generic grade.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 99.13 g/mol |
| Density | 1.028 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 91 °C |
| Structure | Five-membered cyclic amide (lactam) ring with N-methyl substitution |
| Solubility in Water | Fully miscible |
| Solvency | Broad solvency for polymers (PVDF, aramid), inorganic salts and gases |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 872-50-4 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Core Applications
NMP's unusual combination of high polarity, high boiling point and broad solvency underlies some of the most technically demanding processes in battery, fiber and specialty chemical manufacturing.
Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Manufacturing
The dominant solvent for dissolving PVDF binder in cathode (and some anode) slurry formulations, coated onto current collector foil and dried in electrode manufacturing.
- Cathode slurry solvent
- PVDF binder dissolution
Aramid Fiber Production
Dissolves rigid-rod aramid polymers for wet spinning into high-strength fibers such as Kevlar and Twaron.
- Kevlar/Twaron production
Paint & Coating Stripping
A key active ingredient in many industrial and consumer paint strippers, valued for effective coating removal at moderate temperature.
- Industrial paint strippers
- Coating removal
Gas Purification & Hydrocarbon Extraction
Used in the Purisol process for hydrogen sulfide removal from natural gas, and as an extractive solvent for purifying butadiene and acetylene streams.
- Purisol gas treatment
- Butadiene/acetylene purification
How we supply N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP)
Chelora Chemicals supplies NMP in battery-grade purity (low water and metal-ion content) for lithium-ion electrode manufacturing, as well as industrial grades for paint stripping, gas purification and fiber production.
Every shipment is delivered with a full certificate of analysis and safety documentation reflecting NMP's REACH-aligned reproductive-toxicity classification, supporting customer occupational exposure-management programs.
- Battery-Grade Purity Low water and metal-ion content controlled for lithium-ion electrode processing
- Consistent High-Purity Specification Assay and impurity profile maintained for aramid fiber and coating-removal performance
- Drum & Bulk Supply Packaging scaled from drums to bulk ISO tank and railcar quantities
- REACH-Aligned Documentation Safety documentation supporting occupational exposure-management programs
Packed the way your lab or plant receives it
NMP is supplied in steel drums for smaller quantities and in bulk ISO tank container or railcar logistics for larger battery-materials and industrial customers.
Steel Drums
Sealed steel drums for smaller-volume buyers, suitable for paint-stripping and specialty chemical formulation.
ISO Tank Container
Bulk road, rail and sea-transportable tank containers for battery-materials and industrial processors.
Bulk Railcar
High-volume rail delivery for integrated battery electrode and aramid fiber manufacturing facilities.
Safety & Handling
NMP is classified as a reproductive toxicant and is subject to REACH restriction in the European Union, requiring dedicated occupational exposure-control measures beyond standard solvent handling practices.
Classified hazards (treat conservatively)
H315Causes skin irritationH319Causes serious eye irritationH335May cause respiratory irritationH360DMay damage the unborn child
NMP is classified as a reproductive toxicant (Category 1B, H360D), based on evidence of developmental toxicity in animal studies. It is subject to restriction under EU REACH, which sets a Derived No-Effect Level (DNEL) for occupational inhalation and dermal exposure and requires employers to demonstrate exposure remains below this level, or to implement equivalent risk-management measures. NMP readily penetrates skin, so dermal exposure control is as important as inhalation control in facilities handling this material. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch before finalising your handling procedure.
Spill & emergency orientation
Plan your response before the container arrives, not after a spill occurs. The points below are orientation for your emergency planners — sections 4, 5 and 6 of the SDS are the authoritative instructions and should be posted at the point of use.
- Ventilate the area; NMP's low volatility means vapor accumulation is less of an immediate concern than with more volatile solvents, but skin contact control remains essential.
- Contain spilled liquid with inert absorbent material, avoiding skin contact given NMP's ready dermal absorption.
- Use appropriate chemical-resistant gloves and clothing during cleanup, and dispose of contaminated materials per local regulations.
Storage
- Store in a cool, dry area in tightly sealed containers away from strong oxidizers.
- Protect from prolonged exposure to air and moisture to maintain battery-grade purity specifications where applicable.
- Ensure storage areas have appropriate spill-containment and PPE readily available given the reproductive-toxicity classification.
Handling & PPE
- Use impervious chemical-resistant gloves at all times when handling NMP, given its ready skin absorption.
- Maintain occupational exposure below the applicable REACH-derived DNEL through engineering controls, and monitor exposure periodically in facilities with routine handling.
- Use local exhaust ventilation to control any vapor exposure, particularly during heated processing (such as slurry mixing or coating drying).
- Give particular consideration to pregnant workers or those planning pregnancy in exposure-control planning, given the H360D classification.
Transport
We confirm and apply the correct transport classification for every consignment of this compound based on your specific batch's documentation, rather than assuming a fixed classification. We classify each shipment, apply appropriate packaging and labelling, and file the export documentation before booking — ask us for the current paperwork when you plan the shipment.
What travels with every consignment
A chemical shipment is only as good as the file that travels with it. Verifying what the source plant sends is precisely the work you are buying from a supplier.
Certificate of Analysis
Purity, water content and metal-ion levels confirmed on every battery-grade batch.
Grade Consistency
Purity maintained for stable battery-electrode, aramid-fiber and coating-removal performance.
REACH-Aligned Safety Documentation
Full SDS and exposure-management guidance reflecting NMP's reproductive-toxicity classification.
Amide Solvent Chemistry
NMP's cyclic amide structure gives it an unusual combination of high polarity, high thermal stability and broad solvency rarely found together in a single solvent.
Cyclic Amide (Lactam) Structure
NMP's five-membered ring, with an N-methyl substituent, gives it high polarity and dipole moment while remaining chemically stable and non-reactive under normal processing conditions.
Manufacture from Gamma-Butyrolactone
NMP is manufactured by reacting gamma-butyrolactone with methylamine, a route that ties its supply to the broader butyrolactone/maleic anhydride value chain.
Broad Polymer Solvency
NMP's high polarity allows it to dissolve otherwise difficult-to-solvate polymers, including PVDF battery binder and rigid-rod aramid polymers, at practical processing temperatures.
High Boiling Point / Low Volatility
Its high boiling point (202-204 degC) and correspondingly low vapor pressure allow it to remain in liquid contact with a substrate for extended processing times without excessive evaporative loss.
NMP vs. Other Specialty Amide Solvents
NMP is one of several polar aprotic amide/lactam solvents used in demanding industrial applications:
- NMP (this product) — cyclic amide (lactam), CAS 872-50-4; the leading solvent for battery electrode and aramid fiber processing.
- Dimethylformamide (DMF) — a related but structurally distinct open-chain amide solvent, also reprotoxic and REACH-restricted, used in synthetic leather and fiber spinning.
- Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) — a related open-chain amide solvent used in some polymer and pharmaceutical processing, not supplied by Chelora Chemicals.
Chelora Chemicals can advise on solvent selection and REACH-compliance considerations across this amide solvent family.
| Intermediate | Principal outlet |
|---|---|
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) Related reprotoxic amide solvent used in synthetic fiber and leather processing | dimethylformamide |
| Ethyl Acetate Related lower-hazard, higher-volatility industrial solvent | ethyl-acetate |
| 1,3-Butadiene Purified in part using NMP-based extractive distillation | 1-3-butadiene |
If your route calls for one of the others, we supply those as well — see the full intermediate range. Send the CAS number and we will confirm the correct material before quoting.
What actually moves the price of this intermediate
NMP demand has shifted significantly in recent years toward lithium-ion battery manufacturing, alongside its established roles in fiber production and coating removal.
Battery-Manufacturing Demand Growth
Rapid growth in lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing capacity has made electrode-processing solvent demand an increasingly significant driver of NMP consumption.
- EV battery capacity growth
- Cathode slurry demand
Aramid Fiber & Specialty Demand
Established demand from aramid fiber, gas purification and paint-stripping applications provides a stable base alongside newer battery-sector growth.
- Aramid fiber demand
- Gas purification demand
Regulatory Compliance Considerations
REACH restriction and evolving occupational exposure limits are an increasingly important factor in NMP sourcing and handling-infrastructure decisions.
- REACH DNEL compliance
- Exposure-limit evolution
| If your end use is… | Specify |
|---|---|
| Battery/Electronic Grade | ≥ 99.5% min, low water and metal-ion content for electrode slurry processing |
| Industrial Grade | Suitable for paint stripping, gas purification and general industrial solvent applications |
Not sure which column you are in? Describe the reaction you are running and our technical desk will confirm the exact isomer and grade you need.
Support that goes beyond shipping the pack
What our technical desk will do
- Technical guidance on grade selection for battery-electrode versus industrial solvent applications.
- Support with occupational exposure-management planning aligned to REACH DNEL requirements.
- Documentation support reflecting NMP's reproductive-toxicity classification for customer EHS programs.
Regulatory & compliance notes
- Import controls vary by destination. We check the destination rules before quoting, not after you have raised the PO.
- Chemical inventory listings differ between regions. Confirm your obligations under the applicable inventory regime for your import volume — we will supply the identity data you need for that filing.
- Transport classification is confirmed for every batch based on its own documentation and filed before booking.
- Downstream regulatory status of whatever you build from this intermediate is a separate question your own regulatory team should confirm for your specific finished product.
None of the above is legal advice — your own regulatory affairs team owns the final compliance position for your import. What we commit to is giving you accurate product identity data, an honest statement of the hazard classification for your specific batch, and complete documentation to work from.
From enquiry to delivered pack
Request a Quote
Share required grade, volume and delivery location.
Confirm Specification
Chelora Chemicals confirms grade, packaging format and certificate of analysis requirements.
Place Purchase Order
Formal order confirmation with agreed Incoterms and delivery schedule.
Delivery & Documentation
Shipment in drums or bulk logistics, with full certificate of analysis and safety documentation.
What buyers ask us about N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP)
Why is NMP classified as a reproductive toxicant?
NMP is classified Category 1B (H360D, 'may damage the unborn child') based on evidence of developmental toxicity in animal studies. It is subject to restriction under EU REACH, which sets a Derived No-Effect Level for occupational exposure.
What is NMP mainly used for?
NMP's largest application is as the binder solvent in lithium-ion battery electrode manufacturing, dissolving PVDF binder in cathode slurry. It is also essential to aramid fiber (Kevlar/Twaron) production, paint stripping and gas purification.
Does NMP absorb through skin?
Yes. NMP readily penetrates skin, so impervious chemical-resistant gloves and dermal exposure control are as important as inhalation control wherever it is handled.
What packaging is available for NMP?
NMP is supplied in 200 kg steel drums for smaller quantities, and in bulk ISO tank container or railcar logistics for larger battery-materials and industrial customers.
What grades of NMP does Chelora Chemicals supply?
Chelora Chemicals supplies battery/electronic grade with low water and metal-ion content for electrode slurry processing, and industrial grade for paint stripping, gas purification and general solvent applications.
Request pricing on N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP)
Contact Chelora Chemicals for NMP pricing, grade selection and REACH-compliant supply arrangements.