2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Phosphate, often abbreviated as HEMAP, brings together the chemical resilience of methacrylate compounds with the reactive benefits of a phosphate group. Chemists can track this molecule by its CAS number 52628-03-2 or by referencing it with its HS Code 29161400. This material usually shows up as a clear to slightly yellowish liquid. In cold conditions, it can form into a waxy solid, and sometimes you’ll see it available in powder or pearl-like granules, although liquid and solution formats tend to be most steady for shipping and storage. The molecular formula for this compound, C6H11O6P, points to its twin 2-hydroxyethyl side chains and distinct phosphate ester core, giving it a molecular weight of roughly 210.12 g/mol.
HEMAP smells faintly of acrylates, meaning a slight hint of sharpness. The phosphate side tends to pull in a little more water than standard methacrylates. Measured at room temperature, the density runs near 1.27 g/cm³, a bit heavier than most unsaturated esters. Purity affects crystal structure: flakes and solid forms often show tight white or pale tan homogeneity, while pearls sometimes look more glassy. In a typical chemical storage, liquid solutions remain stable and clear for months if shielded from heat or sunlight—exposure means slow polymerization, which ruins both reactivity and batch consistency. Viscosity sits around 50-120 mPa·s, thicker than straight HEMA. The melting point ranges from 40°C up to 60°C depending on water content and grade. As a raw material, HEMAP doesn’t act the same as its basic cousin HEMA; phosphate makes it less likely to evaporate but a bit trickier to dissolve directly into nonpolar solvents.
At a glance, the backbone of HEMAP looks a lot like most methacrylates, but that terminal phosphate group changes everything about how it reacts. The double-bonded carbon at the acrylate’s tail lets it join up tightly with other unsaturated monomers. Adding phosphate unlocks stronger chemical binding to metals like calcium or iron. That’s why dental and bone adhesives include this raw material—it doesn’t wash away in wet conditions, since phosphate latches onto surface hydroxyls. Its structure also brings low volatility and helps keep exotherms down during curing, which matters in any clinical or industrial process that needs steady heat output.
In my lab years, I saw HEMAP work as a crucial base ingredient in dental cements, coating resins, and even a few biomedical hydrogels. Research teams often build composite materials by combining this phosphate methacrylate with hydroxyapatite or glass particles for much-needed toughness. We had more luck with liquid forms than powders since they dissolve better with crosslinkers. Some coatings for metals use tiny concentrations of HEMAP to improve (not guarantee) bond strength under stress from water and acids. You’ll find HEMAP showing up in many products as a blending material, but also as a reactive co-monomer in adhesives and specialty paints. One challenge in the field comes from inconsistent descriptions—suppliers sometimes mix up the term “crystal” with “flake” or “powder,” leading to confusion in purchasing and scale-up.
Anyone considering using HEMAP needs to take chemical safety seriously. The material does not explode or burn readily, but it can irritate skin and eyes, especially in its raw liquid or powder form. Gloves, splash goggles, and good local ventilation are essentials. As with many methacrylate-based chemicals, the biggest hazard comes from long-term exposure to airborne droplets—repeated contact can trigger allergies or dermatitis. Some users underestimate its harmful potential due to its relatively benign smell. A spill on concrete or desktop surfaces takes effort to scrub out, and unintentional mixing with incompatible amines or acids sparks quick polymerization. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for HEMAP cite it as a hazardous substance and recommend avoiding inhalation of fumes or dust. Waste disposal should follow local hazardous chemical policies; HEMAP solutions shouldn’t go straight down the drain.
Specifications for HEMAP tend to focus on purity (above 95% for most high-end adhesives), color, pH in solution (around 2-3 due to the phosphate), water content, and inhibitor amounts. What I found in sourcing chemicals is that any off-spec product seizes up faster, resulting in wasted resin batches or failed adhesive bonds. For best results, always request full documentation, from MSDS to batch COA. Ask suppliers if the material meets your targeted density, melting point, viscosity, and color standards. Shelf life counts—not just the oldest date, but the actual time a product held its chemical properties under normal warehouse conditions. Raw materials like HEMAP need testing before any production run, since impurities or water can snowball into reactivity issues several steps down the line. The solution form in a sealed liter bottle offers the best balance for most R&D or manufacturing outfits, since solid or powder formats tend to pull in moisture and clump up.
Anyone scrambling to keep a safe workspace around HEMAP can explore several paths. Invest in proper personal protective equipment and enforce labeling everywhere the chemical goes. Train each worker on best procedures for cleanup and spill response rather than letting assumptions fill the gaps. Guard against overexposure by running exhaust hoods and monitoring for skin or respiratory issues. With each delivery, double-check batch documentation and conduct spot inspections with infrared or chromatography methods. For storage, keep HEMAP sealed and out of direct sunlight in an area with stable temperatures. If you ever run into uncertainty about your material, start by verifying chemical identity and purity before any pilot test—this keeps the whole project on track and lets the benefits of a specialty phosphate methacrylate show up in the final product instead of getting drowned out by side reactions or safety incidents.
