N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone
The high-boiling polar aprotic solvent supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as NMP, the standard solvent for lithium-ion battery electrode coating, polyimide film casting and aromatic extraction — exported from Indonesia in drums and ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a high-boiling polar aprotic solvent, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone is a five-membered cyclic amide (lactam) carrying a methyl group on its nitrogen. That lactam ring is highly polar but carries no hydrogen on the nitrogen (aprotic), which lets it strongly dissolve a wide range of polar and non-polar materials alike — polymers, salts, and aromatic hydrocarbons — while remaining chemically stable at the high temperatures its high boiling point allows it to be used at.
At room temperature it is a colourless to pale-yellow, high-boiling liquid with a mild amine-like odour, fully miscible with water and most organic solvents. It is thermally and chemically stable under normal processing conditions, and requires standard storage with moisture control, since high water content can affect its performance in moisture-sensitive applications such as battery electrode coating.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
NMP's largest and fastest-growing use is as the solvent for casting lithium-ion battery cathode (and some anode) electrode slurries, where PVDF binder is dissolved in NMP together with the active material and conductive additive before being coated onto current-collector foil. It is also the standard solvent for polyimide film and fibre casting, for aromatic extraction in lube-oil refining, and as a paint-stripper and specialty cleaning solvent.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone in battery/electronics grade (99.5%+ assay, low water content) suitable for electrode-slurry, polyimide and aromatic-extraction applications, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone is manufactured by the reaction of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) with monomethylamine, which opens the lactone ring and re-closes it as the N-methylated lactam, releasing water: gamma-butyrolactone + CH₃NH₂ → NMP + H₂O. The crude product is purified by distillation to the required low-water, electronics-grade specification.
Why the GBL-methylamine route is the standard process
Reacting gamma-butyrolactone with methylamine gives a direct, single-step route to NMP from two widely available feedstocks, which is why it has been the dominant commercial process since NMP demand grew with the polymer and, more recently, battery-materials industries.
Industries and processes that use it
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone is consumed across battery-materials, polymer-film and specialty-cleaning manufacture, where its combination of strong polar solvency and high thermal stability is the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Coating
Used to dissolve PVDF binder and disperse active material and conductive additive into the slurry coated onto lithium-ion battery electrode foil.
Polyimide Film & Fibre Casting
The standard solvent for casting polyimide film and fibre, used in flexible electronics, aerospace and high-temperature insulation applications.
Aromatic Extraction (Lube-Oil Refining)
Used as a selective solvent to extract aromatic compounds from lubricating-oil base stocks, improving the finished oil's oxidation stability.
Paint Stripping & Specialty Cleaning
Used in paint-stripper formulations and specialty industrial and electronics cleaning applications given its strong solvency and high boiling point.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The polar, aprotic lactam ring governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry and its role as a solvent. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways NMP is used or converted.
Polymer Dissolution (Solvency Role)
Strongly dissolves PVDF, polyimide precursors and other engineering polymers without reacting chemically with them, the basis of its primary role as a battery and polymer-processing solvent.
Hydrolysis (Minor Degradation Pathway)
Can slowly hydrolyse back toward gamma-butyrolactone-related species under extreme moisture and temperature conditions, a minor consideration in long-term storage.
Selective Aromatic Extraction
Selectively dissolves aromatic hydrocarbons out of a lube-oil base stock, exploiting its strong affinity for polarisable aromatic rings over saturated hydrocarbons.
Lactone-to-Lactam Conversion (Upstream)
Gamma-butyrolactone reacts with methylamine to form NMP itself, the dominant industrial route in the whole chain.
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing NMP for battery-materials, polymer-film or extraction applications often need a related polar aprotic solvent. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone | 872-50-4 | High-boiling polar aprotic solvent | The product on this page — the standard battery electrode and polyimide-casting solvent. |
| Dimethylformamide | 68-12-2 | Polar aprotic amide solvent | A related polar aprotic solvent widely used in polymer and fibre processing — see its product page. |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone | 78-93-3 | Fast-drying ketone solvent | A related but less polar coatings solvent in our range — see its product page. |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | 67-63-0 | Secondary aliphatic alcohol / solvent | A related electronics-cleaning solvent — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Causes skin irritation.
Causes serious eye irritation.
May cause respiratory irritation.
May damage the unborn child.
Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection are mandatory for routine handling.
May damage the unborn child; minimise exposure, particularly for pregnant workers, and follow MSDS handling precautions strictly.
Can be absorbed through intact skin; avoid prolonged or repeated skin contact.
Danger — GHS07 irritant and GHS08 reproductive-hazard pictograms apply.
This compound causes skin and serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation, and may damage the unborn child, with the potential to be absorbed through intact skin. It must be handled only with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection, and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection, minimising skin contact and exposure for pregnant workers in particular. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a dry, sealed area away from moisture, which can affect battery- and polyimide-grade performance, and away from strong oxidizing agents. Its high boiling point and low flash point relative to that boiling point make it comparatively easier to store than many solvents, though standard flammable-liquid precautions should still be followed. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check water content and colour before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone used for?+
02What is the CAS number of NMP?+
03How is NMP made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why is NMP used in lithium-ion battery manufacturing?+
06Is N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Dimethylformamide as well?+
Need N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.