Functional Monomers

2-(Tert-Butylamino)ethyl Methacrylate (TBAEMA)

2-(Tert-Butylamino)ethyl Methacrylate (TBAEMA), identified by CAS number 3775-90-4, is a specialized amino-functional methacrylic monomer essential for high-performance polymer synthesis. Structurally, it combines a reactive methacrylate double bond with a sterically hindered secondary amine group, a configuration that offers unique chemical reactivity and stability. As a cationic monomer, TBAEMA is widely utilized to introduce functional amine sites into polymer backbones, facilitating improved adhesion, dyeability, and water-dispersibility. Its role in the specialty chemicals industry is pivotal, serving as a versatile building block for thermosetting acrylic resins, latex polymers, and water-soluble copolymers. The presence of the tert-butyl group provides a balance between reactivity and steric protection, preventing undesired side reactions during polymerization while ensuring the final product exhibits superior durability. This monomer is highly valued for its ability to bridge organic polymer matrices with inorganic substrates, making it an indispensable component in advanced material engineering and industrial chemical formulations.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

High reactivity ensures rapid and efficient incorporation into copolymer systems.
The sterically hindered tert-butyl amino group enhances thermal and chemical stability compared to primary amine monomers.
Provides exceptional adhesion promotion to metallic and plastic substrates, significantly improving coating durability.
Excellent cationic functionality allows for tailored solubility and dispersibility in acidic aqueous environments.
High purity levels ensure consistent batch-to-batch performance and minimize the formation of secondary by-products.
Improved moisture and alkaline resistance in cured polymer films.
Stabilized with MEHQ to prevent premature polymerization during transport and storage, ensuring a reliable shelf life for industrial manufacturers.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic odor.
Purity: Typically 99% minimum by gas chromatography.
Solubility: Readily miscible with common organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, and toluene; exhibits pH-dependent solubility in water.
Boiling Point: Approximately 82°C at 10 mmHg.
Density: 0.914 g/cm³ at 25°C.
Handling and Storage: Must be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and incompatible oxidizing agents. Requires specialized handling due to its corrosive and sensitizing nature; appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles, is mandatory for safe industrial processing.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Automotive Coatings: Utilized to enhance adhesion and corrosion protection in primers and topcoats.
Water Treatment: Key precursor for cationic flocculants and coagulants used in industrial wastewater purification.
Personal Care: Employed in the synthesis of film-forming agents and conditioners for hair and skin care formulations.
Adhesives and Sealants: Acts as a performance additive to increase bond strength on low-energy surfaces.
Textile Auxiliaries: Used in the production of softeners and antistatic finishes for natural and synthetic fibers.
Paper Manufacturing: Functions as a retention aid and wet-strength resin component.
Emulsion Polymerization: Serves as a functional co-monomer to stabilize latexes and modify rheological profiles.