PRODUCT PROFILE Isophorone is an ?,?-Unsaturated cyclic ketone, a colorless to yellowish liquid with characteristic smell, that is used as a solvent and as an intermediate in organic synthesis. Isophorone also occurs naturally in cranberries. Isophorone is a clear liquid with a peppermint-like odor. It evaporates faster than water but slower than charcoal starter or paint thinner, and it will not mix completely with water. Isophorone is a man-made chemical for use commercially, but it has been found to occur naturally in cranberries. It is used as a solvent in some printing inks, paints, lacquers, and adhesives. Isophorone does not remain in the air very long, but can remain in water for possibly more than 20 days. Product characteristics • Molecular Weight :138.21 • Vapor Pressure at 20°C, mmHg :0.1 • Density at 20°C lb/gal :7.70 • Specific Gravity at 20/20°C :0.9229 • Viscosity at 20°C cP :2.6 • Surface Tension • (dynes/cm at 20°C) :31.6 • (dynes/cm at 25°C) :31.2 • Hydrogen Bonding :3.6 • Boiling Point, °C at 760mm Hg :215.2 • Melting Point C : -8.1 • Solubility at 20°C : 1.46 • Closed Cup Flash Point °F :190 • Electrical Resistivity M? :<0.1 Some of the features of isophrone are that they are slightly soluble in water, they are miscible with most lacquer solvents, and they have high solvency power and high dilution ratio for aromatic hydrocarbons. They are often used as leveling aid for a variety of resins. Applications of Isophorone: Isophorone is a stable, colorless liquid with a mild peppermint-like odor. It is a high-boiling, low vapor pressure solvent. Isophorone is used as a solvent in some printing inks, paints, lacquers, adhesives, copolymers, coatings, finishings and pesticides. It is also used as a chemical intermediate and as an ingredient in wood preservatives and floor sealants. Some of the applications of isophrone are: • used as choice solvent for many natural and synthetic polymers • used as Solvent fats and oils • Solvent for vinyl chloride-acetate based coatings • Solvent for nitrocellulose lacquers • Carrier solvent for pesticides and herbicides • Solvent for lacquer thinners • Solvent for stencil pastes • Solvent for printing inks • Solvent for adhesives • Chemical intermediate GLOBAL SCENARIO: Isophorone is produced commercially by the catalytic condensation of acetone at elevated temperature and pressure and is then purified by distillation. The worldwide production of isophorone is estimated to be in the order of 100,000 tons per year. Production sites are in the EU (Germany, France), the U.S., Japan and India. Isophorone is widely used as a solvent for a number of synthetic resins and polymers, as well as in special application paints and printing inks. It is a chemical intermediate and an important solvent in certain herbicide formulations. The majority of the consumer products containing isophorone are selective herbicides, while professional use is focused on lacquers and varnishes and solvents.