METHYL ACRYLATE

Methyl acrylate is used for the preparation of 2-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate by transesterification with dimethylaminoethanol Methyl acrylate is used as a comonomer in the polymerization with a variety of acrylic and vinyl monomers. In doing so it has a similar range of uses as ethyl acrylate. When using methyl acrylate as comonomer resulting acrylic paints are harder and more brittle than those with the homologous acrylates. Copolymerizing methyl acrylate with acrylonitrile improves their melt processability to fibers, which could be used as precursors for carbon fibers. Acrylates are also used in the preparation of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers typically by Michael addition with a primary amine. Methyl acrylate is the precursor to fibers that are woven to make carpets.