Ethyl methacrylate

Ethyl methacrylate is the organic compound with the formula C2H5O2CC(CH3)=CH2. A colorless liquid, it is a common monomer for the preparation of acrylate polymers. It is typically polymerized under free-radical conditions.

Ethyl methacrylate was first obtained by treating ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate with phosphorus pentachloride in an apparent dehydration reaction.

Environmental issues and health hazards
The related methyl and butyl methacrylates have respective acute LD50s 10 and 20 g/kg (oral, rat); a linear extrapolation suggests that ethyl methacrylate would have LD50 approximately 13 g/kg.

Acrylate esters irritate the eyes and can cause blindness.