N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone is a strongly basic solvent that is miscible with water and other polar solvents such as alcohols, ketones, and chloroform. It has a variety of uses in the manufacture of petroleum products, polymers, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Despite its desirable properties, its use may decline because it has been identified as a reproductive toxin.
MOTW update: November 18, 2019
Former Molecules of the Week 1,4-dioxane, hexabromocyclododecane, 1-bromopropane, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and dichloromethane, among several other chemicals, are at the center of a controversy about how the EPA’s scientific advisory committees are evaluating risks of air pollution. The problems are the lack of expertise in some of the committees and a shortage of adquate data to evaluate the chemicals. Industrial and environmental stakeholders are critical of the latest risk assessments.
MOTW update:
January 22, 2018
Previous environmentally problematic Molecules of the Week tetrachloroethylene, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and hexabromocyclododecane are in the news again. They are among the chemicals in the “First 10” list for reevaluation under the revised Toxic Substances Control Act of 2016. But last month the Trump administration put additional restrictions of the substances on hold, with no set date for implementation.
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