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What it is. N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is a high-boiling, polar aprotic solvent supplied in electronic grade, in 1 L and 5-gallon sizes. It is a clear, colorless-to-pale-yellow liquid with a faint amine odor, used for photoresist stripping, cleaning, and dissolving polymers.
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What electronic grade means. Electronic-grade NMP is purified and tested for low water, chloride, free amines, and trace metals, often to the parts-per-billion level, because ionic and metal contamination can damage semiconductor devices. Comparable microelectronic grades assay at 99.5% minimum, with water at 0.05% or less.
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Chemical identity. NMP (CAS 872-50-4, C5H9NO, 99.13 g/mol) is a five-membered lactam. It mixes completely with water and most organic solvents, has a high dielectric constant of about 33, and dissolves a wide range of polymers, resins, and salts.
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Physical properties. NMP boils at about 202 °C, freezes near -24 °C, and has a density of about 1.03 g/cm³. Its flash point is about 91 °C and its vapor pressure is low, about 0.32 hPa at 20 °C, so it evaporates slowly.
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Photoresist stripping and cleaning. In semiconductor and MEMS processing, NMP removes photoresist, polyimide, and organic residues from wafers, often warmed to improve dissolution. Its high solvency and slow evaporation make it effective for soaking and post-etch cleaning steps.
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Polymer and battery uses. NMP dissolves polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyimides, and polyamide-imides, so it is widely used to prepare lithium-ion battery electrode slurries, cast polymer membranes, and formulate wire enamels and coatings.
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Reproductive toxicity. NMP is classified as a reproductive toxicant (may damage the unborn child) and as a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant. It is readily absorbed through the skin, so wear solvent-resistant gloves rated for NMP, such as butyl rubber, and work in a well-ventilated area.
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Two sizes. The 1 L size (NM9443-1) suits research labs and process development, while the 5 gallon size (NM9443-20) supports production cleaning lines and battery slurry preparation.
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Where it is used. Electronic-grade NMP is used in semiconductor and MEMS fabs, flat-panel and electronics manufacturing, lithium-ion battery production, polymer processing, and analytical labs that need a high-purity polar aprotic solvent.
Technical Specifications
| Chemical Name |
1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone |
| CAS Number |
872-50-4 |
| EC Number |
212-828-1 |
| Synonyms |
NMP, N-methylpyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, M-Pyrol |
| Formula |
C5H9NO |
| Molecular Weight |
99.13 g/mol |
| Grade |
Electronic grade |
| Assay (comparable microelectronic grade) |
99.5% min |
| Water (comparable microelectronic grade) |
0.05% max |
| Free Amines (comparable) |
50 ppm max (as methylamine) |
| Chloride (comparable) |
0.5 ppm max |
| Trace Metals (comparable) |
Typically 100 ppb max per element |
| Density |
About 1.03 g/cm³ (20 °C) |
| Boiling Point |
About 202 °C |
| Melting Point |
About -24 °C |
| Flash Point |
About 91 °C |
| Ignition Temperature |
About 245 °C |
| Explosion Limits |
About 1.3 to 9.5% in air |
| Vapor Pressure |
About 0.32 hPa (20 °C) |
| Water Solubility |
Miscible |
| Hazard Statements |
H360D (may damage the unborn child), H315, H319, H335 |
| Package Sizes |
1 L; 5 gallon |
Available Variants
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NM9443-1: 1 L for research labs and process development.
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NM9443-20: 5 gallon for production cleaning and slurry preparation.
Applications / Common Uses
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Photoresist stripping: Removes resist and polyimide from wafers.
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Post-etch cleaning: Dissolves organic residues after processing.
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Battery electrode slurries: Dissolves PVDF binder for cathode coating.
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Polymer processing: Dissolves polyimides and casts membranes.
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Coatings and enamels: Formulates wire enamels and high-performance coatings.
Storage, Handling & Shipping
Caution: NMP may damage the unborn child and cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. It is absorbed through the skin. Wear butyl rubber or other NMP-rated gloves, chemical splash goggles, and a lab coat, and work with local exhaust ventilation.
Store tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from strong oxidizers, strong acids, and strong bases. NMP absorbs moisture from the air, so keep containers sealed to preserve electronic-grade water limits, and use clean, dedicated dispensing equipment.
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Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases, and reducing agents.
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Personal protection: Butyl rubber or other NMP-rated gloves, goggles, and a lab coat.
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Spill response: Absorb with inert material and collect for disposal; ventilate the area.
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First aid: Skin: wash thoroughly with soap and water. Eyes: rinse for several minutes. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
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