Since the early days of polymer research, the hunt for monomers carrying both flexibility and compatibility with various living systems has shaped many chemical breakthroughs. Methoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate (MOEOEMA), also known in the chemical world as 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate, emerged in the late twentieth century during a period of rapid experimentation with hydrophilic methacrylates. Researchers experimented with poly(ethylene glycol) chains, shooting for something that could blend durability with water-welcoming properties. Unlike its cousin monomers, MOEOEMA’s unique backbone brought a delicate balance between toughness and flexibility—a major consideration for biomedical and coating applications. Universities in Japan and Germany took the lead, pushing synthesis methods and looking at new polymerization routes up and down the supply chain.
MOEOEMA, sporting the molecular formula C9H16O5 and a molecular weight of 204.22 g/mol, delivers versatility. Its parent, methacrylate, is well known for adaptability in acrylics, and the addition of the methoxyethoxyethyl group extends its reach. As a clear, colorless liquid, MOEOEMA offers easy handling in labs and production lines. Industry catalogues use alternate terms like “DEGME Methacrylate” or “PEGMA-182,” reflecting subtle differences in chain length or purity, and this can cause confusion among new buyers. Some manufacturers offer tailored grades: high-purity for medical devices, stabilizer-infused for coatings, or unpolymerized for specialty adhesives.
On the benchtop, MOEOEMA stands out for its low viscosity and good miscibility with water and alcohols, unlike standard methyl methacrylate. Its boiling point generally settles around 236°C, and it packs a refractive index close to 1.44. It resists hydrolysis better than shorter-chain methacrylates but won’t stand up under hot, strong acids or bases for very long. In my experience working with hydrogels, MOEOEMA-based copolymers stayed transparent and flexible after weeks of immersion, a nod to that backbone’s stability against everyday aqueous media. Odor stays faint and pleasant, reducing complaints from folks at the fume hood.
Product sheets from major suppliers focus on purity (typically above 98%), moisture content (under 0.1%), and inhibitor levels—since this liquid responds to light, heat, and free radicals by polymerizing with enthusiasm. Labels carry hazard icons for skin and eye irritation, but compared with more volatile methacrylates, MOEOEMA poses less risk of inhalation issues. Its CAS number (23625-22-7) keeps matters clear for procurement and regulatory documents. Labeling in Europe aligns under GHS symbols; in the US, paperwork depends on the end use, especially if medical grades enter the conversation.
Labs and commercial outfits prepare MOEOEMA by reacting 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of a base such as triethylamine. This step produces hydrochloric acid as a byproduct, handled through neutralization or by continuous extraction. Filtration over activated carbon helps reach optical clarity and high purity. Scaling up, manufacturers tweak solvent systems and distillation, striking a balance between yield and color. Waste minimization plays a growing role, with closed-loop systems getting more common thanks to tight regulation and cost pressures.
From a synthetic chemist’s perspective, MOEOEMA offers a playground for customization. The pendant ether chains enable both homo- and copolymerization using radical initiators, like AIBN, for everything from contact lenses to flexible electronics. Blending in crosslinkers or photoinitiators gives birth to tough, transparent films. The ether groups take well to endgroup modifications, letting users attach dyes, drugs, or targeting ligands for advanced biomaterials. In polymerization trials, tuning solvent, temperature, and initiator pushed molecular weights beyond 100,000 with little branching, which drew materials scientists interested in specialty membranes and soft lithography.
People stumble over the right term for MOEOEMA. Chemists might list it as 2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate, DEGME methacrylate, or use product codes like PEGMA-182. Beware of “PEGMA” types—the real differences stem from how many ethylene glycol repeats sit in the chain. Clear communication around naming—especially when talking to purchasing or regulatory teams—avoids supply chain headaches. International vendors sometimes rename it under house brands or catalog codes, so cross-referencing with the CAS number helps keep things tidy.
People working with MOEOEMA must respect protective gear. Splash goggles and nitrile gloves form the first line of defense, with lab coats and good ventilation lowering risk further. Though less volatile than MMA, spills can still irritate skin or eyes. Long-term exposure raises questions about possible sensitization, so rotating staff and continued air monitoring build good habits. Fire marshals list MOEOEMA below highly flammable solvents, but wise handling means stores stay away from ignition sources. Disposal rules cap concentrations due to aquatic toxicity. My own lab adapts SOPs each time we bring in a new acrylate, and spot checks on controls catch near-misses early.
MOEOEMA’s reach covers biomedical hydrogels, high-performance coatings, and adhesive formulations. In contact lenses, its hydrophilicity brings comfort, while healthcare coatings resist protein fouling. Electronics companies turn to it for photosensitive films and printable circuits, appreciating the flexibility. Workforce safety gloves and soft-touch automotive parts gain longevity from these polymers. Research teams are steadily expanding into self-healing polymers and biosensors, reflecting broadening confidence in MOEOEMA’s performance and biocompatibility.
Academic and industrial labs keep pushing the boundaries. Recent work in Japan described combining MOEOEMA with zwitterionic comonomers to lower fouling even further in artificial skin. Medical device makers partner with materials suppliers to bring sterilizable, high-water content copolymers into operating rooms. In printed electronics, teams experiment with nano-fillers inside MOEOEMA-rich matrices, looking for conductivity with flexibility. The number of high-impact publications featuring MOEOEMA grows each year, reflecting both increased trust in its safety profile and the sheer curiosity unleashed by polymer chemistry’s renaissance.
Toxicologists eye each new methacrylate with care, since solvent and monomer exposures have a checkered past. Recent rodent studies reported slight, reversible skin irritation but little evidence of mutagenicity or chronic harm for MOEOEMA at occupational exposure levels. Human volunteers wearing contact lenses with stable MOEOEMA-based polymers showed lower inflammation than early-generation plastics. Regulatory bodies in Europe and North America list it with standard personal protective equipment and spill response guidelines, without classifying it among persistent organic pollutants or confirmed carcinogens. Still, periodic review of inhalation risks and environmental persistence forms part of best practice.
MOEOEMA stands poised for growth in sectors hungry for smart biomaterials and safer, longer-lived coatings. Medical device advances—especially in drug-eluting stents or soft tissue scaffolds—draw on its water compatibility and reliable synthesis routes. Electronics manufacturers look to greener, less toxic monomers, and MOEOEMA may soon muscle out less environmentally friendly competitors. More automation in process control, tighter supply chain tracking, and greener synthetic routes beckon. Research teams ponder copolymer blends tailor-made for everything from antifog films to hybrid microfluidics. With sound regulation and ongoing safety checks, MOEOEMA’s story looks far from finished.
Anyone working in the field of advanced materials, paints, or medical devices runs across a long list of acronyms and chemical names. MOEOEMA, or Methoxyethoxyethyl Methacrylate, doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but it’s a name with weight in polymer science. I’ve worked in a coatings lab for five years, and MOEOEMA shows up time and again in places where ordinary methacrylates fall short.
Durability matters in coatings. Many home renovation projects give you a sense for this when old paint flakes off a garage door or patio. MOEOEMA’s structure allows the creation of paints and finishes that perform better in harsh weather and under frequent handling. The extra flexibility and hydrophilicity let these coatings stretch and resist cracking longer than older methacrylate options. Teams in automotive and construction often look for MOEOEMA-based resins for projects where paint failure can mean rust, extra repairs, or safety hazards.
Medical devices rely on precision—and safety. Methoxyethoxyethyl Methacrylate turns up in dental materials, prosthetics, and sometimes in contact lenses. Its ability to deliver both water compatibility and stability under sterilization conditions brings peace of mind for patients and clinicians. Anyone who’s worried about the integrity of what’s being implanted in people wants polymers that maintain clarity, resist microbial growth, and offer some degree of flexibility. MOEOEMA’s proven track record in medical settings means more trust and better safety profiles.
Adhesives don’t just hold things together; they can make or break a major build. My experience with industrial adhesives has shown that MOEOEMA brings an extra level of adhesion to challenging surfaces, especially in wet environments. In sectors where moisture exposure is a day-to-day reality—think kitchens, bathrooms, or even underwater equipment—its properties give adhesives longer life and better grip. This impacts warranty periods and credibility for manufacturers, so the demand for materials that go the distance is strong.
Think about circuit boards inside every smartphone. Manufacturers want thin, protective films that resist heat and chemicals. MOEOEMA-based photoresists and inks allow for higher precision and lower defects during manufacturing. In printing, its polymers bring better adhesion to plastics and improve print quality for labels and packaging. Many in the packaging supply chain now look to specialty acrylates to reduce waste caused by print errors or flaking.
There’s scientific documentation backing all this up. Peer-reviewed research, including studies from journals like Polymer Chemistry, shows that materials containing MOEOEMA outperform standards in weathering tests and accelerated aging. Manufacturers using these materials often report lower failure rates and higher customer satisfaction. These things translate to real-world savings both for people and companies.
Structural reliability. Medical device safety. Tougher, longer-lasting finishes on buildings and vehicles. The right material choice can change the course of a project or a product’s life. MOEOEMA gives formulators in several fields an extra tool for performance and peace of mind. It’s this kind of everyday improvement—something I’ve seen in both paint cans and medical device packages—that demonstrates why newer methacrylates deserve attention.
MOEOEMA, or Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol Monomethacrylate, shows up on many chemical lists, but most folks outside labs barely register it. For chemists and people in manufacturing, MOEOEMA is the kind of building block that gets plenty of attention. Companies use it in paints, adhesives, hydrogels, and even drug delivery systems. The structure of MOEOEMA helps explain why it pops up across so many industries.
The core chemical structure of MOEOEMA connects two key groups: a methoxy polyethylene glycol (MPEG) chain and a methacrylate group. The general formula looks like this:
CH2=C(CH3)COO-(CH2CH2O)n-CH3
Breaking that down, it starts with a methacrylate group (on the left), which carries a double bond that easily reacts with other molecules in polymerization. Attached to this is a flexible polyethylene glycol chain: repeating units of ethylene oxide (–CH2CH2O–), capped at the far end by a methoxy group (–OCH3).
The “n” in the formula stands for the number of ethylene oxide units, typically between 5 and 50, depending on the batch or application. This number changes everything about how the final product behaves—from how it dissolves to how it interacts with other formulas.
In any workshop or lab, the right combination of flexibility and function makes almost any production task easier. MOEOEMA offers both. Its PEG chain keeps things water-friendly and flexible, making it tough for grime and bacteria to stick once the polymer cures. Coatings don’t dry out or become brittle. Products hold together after bending, stretching, or getting wet. It solves real-world problems every time a manufacturer needs surfaces to stay clean or flexible for longer spells.
This chemical also plays well with other substances. In personal care products, it helps blend ingredients that wouldn’t normally mix. In medical devices, it keeps things soft enough for comfort yet tough enough that they don’t break after a couple uses.
Any chemical that features in coatings, cosmetics, or health setups invites careful review. People want to be sure that handling or using these substances won’t hurt them or the planet. MOEOEMA and its PEG-based relatives tend to have low toxicity for humans and break down reasonably well, compared to many other plastics. There are still real concerns about the long-term impact when these substances leak into water systems. Researchers keep pressing for safer disposal and more biodegradable options.
Fact: The European Chemicals Agency has reviewed similar monomers for toxicity and environmental footprint, pushing for improved labeling and responsible use. Manufacturers have taken steps to adjust processes, cut down waste, and support closed-loop recycling where possible. I’ve seen operations change crews’ handling protocols to cut chemical exposure, switching to water-based processes and improving ventilation in work areas.
Change doesn’t come overnight. Research teams experiment with natural alternatives, like biosourced or plant-based acrylates, but so far, MOEOEMA’s mix of reliability and versatility keeps it in rotation. Factories push forward by enhancing filtration and keeping detailed logs of chemical use, aiming to keep both people and ecosystems as safe as possible. Anyone working around or with this chemical benefits by staying alert, respecting safety seals, and rethinking waste disposal as technology and science improve.
Methoxyethoxyethyl Methacrylate sounds like a mouthful, but it’s just another tool for folks working with plastics, coatings, and adhesives. I have worked around similar chemicals in lab and industrial settings, and anyone who’s handled these compounds knows they don’t always play nice. It’s easy to shrug off the safety guidelines, especially when things get busy, but that’s how accidents happen. This stuff can irritate the skin, eyes, and even your lungs if you breathe in the vapor long enough. The risk isn’t limited to health, either. These methacrylates can fuel a fire if things go sideways.
No fancy safety gear will matter if you toss the drum in a back room and forget about it. Methoxyethoxyethyl Methacrylate breaks down in heat and light, so shaded storage really matters—think metal drums or thick plastic containers kept shut tight. Store them away from direct sunlight and far from heat sources, like boilers or machinery that gets warm. I’ve seen the aftermath of ignoring this rule: leaky containers, weird smells, and ruined product. Segregate these chemicals from oxidizing agents and acids. One accidental spill next to the wrong chemical can kick off a nasty reaction, and nobody wants that responsibility on their shoulders.
Gloves, goggles, long sleeves—those details sound boring, but they spare you from urgent-care visits. I once underestimated how quickly these chemicals burn the skin. Nitrile gloves win out over latex every time, since latex sometimes dissolves on contact. Ventilation means more than a cracked window. In any decent facility, fans move air steadily, with exhaust systems that whisk vapors outdoors. Don’t trust your nose to warn you: if you can detect the odor, the concentration’s already too high.
Many workplaces rattle off safety protocols during orientation, then never bring them up again. This only works until a new hire gets splashed, or someone stores containers next to cleaning supplies. Good supervision matters more than another piece of posted signage. Real supervisors walk the floor, spot unsafe shortcuts, and ask questions when rules slip. If a site doesn’t back up training with practical refreshers, risks climb fast.
Labels fade, and accidental cross-contamination is always one mistake away. I always encourage workers to relabel faded drums right away and track the date of arrival, since old product gets unstable. Spills do happen. Equipping people to tackle them, with absorbent pads and buckets ready at hand, can save an expensive mess from spreading. Since I started checking monitoring logs, leaks and strong smells dropped off considerably—direct proof of simple routines working out in reality.
Methoxyethoxyethyl Methacrylate isn’t going away; it matters for modern manufacturing. Attention to these safety basics keeps things running and people safer. It’s better to put in the effort up front, than scramble after an accident. In practice, safe storage and handling rely on good habits, clear training, and reliable supervision—things that protect both people and business in the long run.
Anyone who’s ever spent time in a lab or a workshop knows the frustration that comes from a lack of clear information about a material. MOEOEMA, or 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate, steps into this picture. Anyone thinking about working with this molecule, or using products made with it, should care about how it behaves—both physically and chemically. Properties like viscosity, reactivity, and handling hazards determine whether a material works out as a blessing or a headache.
MOEOEMA is a colorless liquid under normal conditions, with a consistency thinner than syrup but not as watery as ethanol. The moderate viscosity lends it to easy pouring without dramatic splashing or slow drips. This stuff boils somewhere between 230°C to 250°C, so it’s not about to vaporize on a warm day, but breathing in the fumes in a poorly ventilated area can make anyone’s lungs feel raw.
The density sits at around 1.04 g/cm³, just a hair heavier than water. Anyone using it in mixtures can stir it into typical resin or monomer systems without fighting gravity, which keeps processing straightforward. Freezing and thawing shouldn’t be a big issue—MOEOEMA doesn’t solidify unless deep cold sets in, far below any room a person would work in.
Chemically, MOEOEMA carries everything you expect from a methacrylate. Its double bond promises strong reactivity in radical polymerizations—the sort that are everywhere in coatings, adhesives, and 3D printing resins. Adding MOEOEMA to a mix adjusts flexibility and improves resistance to surface scratching, which is why folks in the coatings world pay it so much attention. This molecule brings ether linkages too, which means polymers made from it stay flexible and soft even in colder conditions, unlike hard, brittle plastics that shatter with a knock.
The ether groups aren't just for comfort. They provide better resistance against hydrolysis. In plain language, this structure makes anything made with MOEOEMA less likely to fall apart in wet or humid environments—a boon for outdoor coatings or dental materials sitting in someone’s mouth.
As with most methacrylates, irritation can be a real concern. MOEOEMA can sting the skin or eyes. Long exposure to vapors, even below the level where a person might feel anything, may sensitize the respiratory system over time. Good ventilation, gloves, and eye protection always belong in the workspace. Fire risk sits in the background—though it doesn’t ignite easily, once it catches, it burns with stubborn, acrid smoke.
On paper, the numbers look good, but experience shows that batch variability, storage conditions, and accidental impurities make a difference. Even a few extra drops of water mixed in can affect shelf life, polymer quality, and downstream properties. Regular checks with spectroscopy or chromatography confirm nothing strange crept in.
MOEOEMA offers versatility, but that same reactivity calls for care. The ways it can improve durability and hardness have value in everything from household coatings to biomedical implants. With the right storage and work habits, manufacturers sidestep health hazards and keep quality up. Ignoring those practical details, on the other hand, leaves both workers and end-users shouldering risks that add up over time.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration—chemists linking up with safety officers and end-users—makes a difference. That’s how innovations around safer packaging, improved ventilation, and emergency response keep pace with expanding uses. Fact-based awareness combined with hands-on know-how ensures MOEOEMA stays a tool for progress, not a source of headaches down the line.
Ask anybody in the coatings or adhesives business about tweaking a formula, and they’ll talk your ear off about acrylates and methacrylates. These families bring a wealth of properties: from flexibility and hardness, to water resistance and chemical durability. Enter MOEOEMA—2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate—a mouthful with a proven track record for pushing performance in the right direction. Standing in lab coats, folks often reach for MOEOEMA to influence flexibility, boost adhesion, and help with flow, especially in UV-curable systems.
Blending different monomers is a balancing act. You want the good stuff from each ingredient, but you don’t want surprises during curing—like phase separation or unpredictable shrinkage. Over the years, researchers have mixed MOEOEMA into standard acrylate and methacrylate formulations with a close eye on outcomes. The good news: evidence has shown that MOEOEMA blends smoothly with staples like methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and others used for pressure-sensitive adhesives, 3D printing resins, and durable paints.
I’ve seen teams swap out part of their base monomer for MOEOEMA and watch the viscosity drop, which helps with processing and coating application. In adhesives, MOEOEMA brings an extra dose of flexibility without giving up tack. This comes in handy for packaging and labels, where you want materials to stretch and rebound instead of splitting or peeling off. In coatings, it keeps films clear and resists yellowing—a common headache with older blends.
A few years back, a study compared blends of MOEOEMA with standard monomers, tracking everything from crosslink density to resistance to wear and chemicals. Results showed consistent copolymerization, meaning MOEOEMA’s side chain didn’t stick out like a sore thumb and get in the way of the main network forming during cure. This was true with UV, thermal, and redox polymerization methods. Most folks in the field agree MOEOEMA slots into the chain and pulls its weight.
The extra ethoxy groups in MOEOEMA attract water, so it delivers more flexible films, especially when mixed with stiff monomers. For companies chasing anti-fog or low-friction surfaces, this tweak opens new doors. Too much, though, and you start to sacrifice strength. Fine-tuning takes patience, and every ounce pushed into a recipe calls for fresh tests on glass transition temperature and shelf life.
Not every formulation wants what MOEOEMA brings. In tough structural adhesives and high-heat plastics, formulators sometimes pass up glycidyl ethers and side-chain methacrylates because they can soften the product or raise moisture absorption. For softer films, skin-safe polymers, or anything that benefits from flexibility, MOEOEMA does its job well. Its blend partners—the usual acrylate and methacrylate workhorses—get to adapt to new, fast-moving requirements.
The only real way to know if MOEOEMA fits in a formula is to run the experiments. Labs will need to weigh property trade-offs and chase application-specific testing. Keeping an eye on data from peer-reviewed studies and industry trials gives a real-world check before moving to commercial scale. Blending with compatible acrylates and methacrylates means more than just mixing liquids—it sets the tone for better, smarter materials hitting the market.
