What Is Glycidyl Methacrylate？

2026-09-15

Glycidyl methacrylate, abbreviated as GMA, CAS No. 106-91-2, is a colorless, transparent liquid with a boiling point of 189°C (760 mmHg) and a flash point of 76.1°C. It is insoluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents. The molecule contains a carbon-carbon double bond and an epoxy group, enabling it to undergo free-radical reactions and epoxy ring-opening reactions. It is a skin irritant and must be stored away from light with emergency spill containment equipment on hand.

How Is Glycerol Methacrylate Prepared?

GMA is primarily prepared using either a one-step method (direct esterification and dechlorination to form a ring) or a two-step method (esterification followed by ring-closing). Industrially, the most commonly used methods are the one-step process or modified new processes that use methacrylic acid and epichlorohydrin as the main raw materials.

One-Step Method

Add methacrylic acid, a polymerization inhibitor (MEHQ), and a quaternary ammonium salt phase-transfer catalyst to the reactor; add an excess of epichlorohydrin and purge with nitrogen for protection; At a specific temperature (e.g., 50°C—high-temperature range), control the dropwise addition of an alkali solution (e.g., an aqueous NaOH solution) to first convert the methacrylic acid into sodium methacrylate, which then reacts with epichlorohydrin to undergo dehydration and ring-closing; After removing excess epichlorohydrin via vacuum distillation, followed by water washing, dilute acid washing, and rectification for purification, the final product—glycerol methacrylate—is obtained.

Properties

Melting point	-52°C
Boiling point	189°C (lit.)
Density	1.075 g/mL at 20°C
vapour pressure	4.2 hPa at 25℃
refractive index	n20/D 1.449 (lit.)
Flash point	169°F
storage temp.	2-8°C
solubility	Chloroform (slightly), Methanol (slightly)
form	Liquid
colour	Clear
Viscosity	5 cp (25°C)
Water Solubility	0.5-1.0 g/100 mL at 20ºC

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Risk and Safety Statements

Symbol (GHS)	GHS05, GHS06, GHS08
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H302-H311-H314-H317-H335-H341-H350-H360F-H372
Precautionary statements	P202-P280-P301+P312-P303+P361+P353-P304+P340+P310-P305+P351+P338
target organs	Respiratory system
Hazard Codes	Xn, T, T+
Risk Statements	20/21/22-36/38-43-60-45-68-39/26-34
Safety Statements	26-28-28A-45-36/37-53-36/37/39
WGK Germany	2
HazardClass	8
PackingGroup	III
Storage Class	6.1C - Combustible acute toxic cat. 3 toxic compounds or compounds which cause chronic effects

What Is Glycerol Methacrylate Uesd For?

Glycidyl methacrylate is primarily used in powder coatings, thermosetting coatings, fiber treatment agents, adhesives, antistatic agents, vinyl chloride stabilizers, and printing ink binders, among other applications. It is also used as a rubber resin modifier, a raw material for ion exchange resins, and a raw material for medical materials.