C4H8O
72.11 g/mol
Industrial ChemicalDanger
2-Butanone
CAS78-93-3EC201-159-0
Category
Industrial Chemical
Compound Class
Other
Primary Use
Solvent for coatings, adhesives, and cleaning
2-Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), is a colorless liquid with a sharp, sweet odor. It is produced in large quantities and is widely used as a solvent because it evaporates quickly and dissolves many substances.
Solvent for paints and other coatingsSolvent for glues and adhesivesCleaning agent
Content scope: Information here supports chemical identification and industrial supply, research, and manufacturing contexts. It is not a therapeutic claim, medical advice, or drug-use instructions.
Controlled substances
Substances on this list are tightly controlled under chemical-weapons or precursor regulations. ChemAbout does not facilitate their procurement; this page is a compliance reference only.
Relevant lists:CN Precursor Chemicals Cat.3UN 1988 Convention Table II ChemicalsUS DEA List II Chemicals
CAS 78-93-3
Related Compounds
ReferenceSame Category
Methyl vinyl ketone
CAS78-94-4
monomer for polymer production
ReferenceSame Category
Chloroacetone
CAS78-95-5
Chemical intermediate for organic synthesis
ReferenceSame Category
1-aminopropan-2-ol
CAS78-96-6
Emulsifying agent and chemical intermediate
ReferenceSame Category
1-phenyladamantane
CAS780-68-7
Chemical intermediate for synthesis
Referencestereoisomer of
2-Butanone-1,1,1,3,3,4,4,4-d8(9CI)
CAS350820-09-6
deuterated solvent or internal standard
Safety Reference
Danger
H225Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H319Causes serious eye irritation
H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H315Causes skin irritation
H332Harmful if inhaled
H335May cause respiratory irritation
H371May cause damage to organs
H372Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H303May be harmful if swallowed
H305May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways
H320Causes eye irritation
H333May be harmful if inhaled
H370Causes damage to organs
Regulatory Compliance4
- CN Catalogue of Hazardous ChemicalsCNRegulation
- CN Precursor Chemicals Cat.3CNRegulation
- UN 1988 Convention Table II ChemicalsGlobalInternational ConventionListedSource
- US DEA List II ChemicalsUSRegulation
Customs Tariff Classification
The international HS code for 2-Butanone (CAS 78-93-3) is 2914.12.
HS code (international, 6-digit)
2914.12
EU CN code (8-digit)
2914 12 00
Classification per the EU customs inventory ECICS (2026-07 snapshot, HS 2022). National tariff lines and product form can affect the final classification.
Identifiers
IUPAC Name
butan-2-one
InChIKey
ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
CCC(=O)C
Synonyms (55)
- MEK
- Methyl ethyl ketone, United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
- 2-BUTANONE-D8
- 2-Butanone
- 2-Butanone, SAJ first grade
- 2-Butanone, natural
- 2-Butanone, puriss.
- 2-Butanone-1,1,1,3,3-d?
- 2-Oxobutane
- 2-butanal
- 2-butanon
- 3-Butanone
- Acetone, methyl-
- Aethylmethylketon
- Aethylmethylketon [German]
- Butan-2-one
- Butanone
- Butanone 2
- Butanone 2 [French]
- Caswell No. 569
- Ethyl methyl cetone
- Ethyl methyl ketone
- Ethylmethylcetone [French]
- Ethylmethylketon
- Ethylmethylketon [Dutch]
- FEMA No. 2170
- Ketone, ethyl methyl
- Ketone, methyl ethyl
- METHYL ETHYL KETONE
- METHYL ETHYL KETONE [MART.]
- Meetco
- Methyl acetone
- Methylethylketon
- Metiletilcetona
- Metiletilcetona [Spanish]
- Metiletilchetone
- Metiletilchetone [Italian]
- Metyl ethyl ketone
- Metyloetyloketon
- Metyloetyloketon [Polish]
- Oxobutane
- RCRA waste no. U159
- RCRA waste number U159
- butan-3-one
- butane-2-one
- ethylmathyl ketone
- methyl ethyl cetone
- methyl etyl ketone
- n-butanone