Methacrylic acid

Monomer for large-volume resins and polymers, organic synthesis. Many of the polymers are based on esters of the acid, as the methyl, butyl, or isobutyl esters.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ... asserted that nail primers containing methacrylic acid are used to pretreat the nail to help nail extenders adhere. CPSC stated that concentrations of methacrylic acid in such primers are >50%. They indicated that most primers are labeled "for professional use only," but documented that they are readily available to consumers.

Methacrylic acid is not included as a cosmetic ingredient in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. ... Methacrylic acid appears to have been used in nail cosmetics in the past and that use continues.

In the manufacture of methacrylate resins and plastics.

Industrial uses: Intermediate, Filler, Diluent, Monomers, Dispersing agent, Polymerization promoter, Binder.

Consumer uses: Intermediate, Adhesion/cohesion promoter, Monomers, Binder.

Reaction of acetone cyanohydrin and dilute sulfuric acid, oxidation of isobutylene.

The most common approach to methacrylic acid synthesis is the hydrolysis of methacrylamide sulfate, obtained from acetone cyanohydrin. ... In the manufacture of methacrylic acid, methacrylamide sulfate is reacted with water under conditions similar to those used for formation of the ester. The reactor effluent separates into two phases. The upper organic layer is distilled to provide pure methacrylic acid. The lower layer is steam stripped to recover dilute aqueous methacrylic acid, which is recycled to the hydrolysis reactor. The waste acid stream is treated as in the manufacture of the ester.

Manufacture of methacrylic acid by two-stage catalytic oxidation of isobutene or tert-butanol.