At a glance

Item Detail
Name 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzophenone
CAS No. 954-16-5
Formula / MW C₁₆H₁₆O / 224.30 g/mol
Appearance Pale-yellow liquid to low-melting solid
Typical purity ≥ 99% (GC)
Main uses Type II photoinitiator for UV curing, UV-absorber intermediate

Material overview

2,4,6-Trimethylbenzophenone is an aromatic ketone with three methyl groups on one benzene ring of the benzophenone skeleton. It is produced by Friedel-Crafts acylation of mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) with benzoyl chloride, then purified by vacuum distillation to ≥ 99% purity.

Its core function is as a Type II photoinitiator: after UV excitation it abstracts hydrogen from donors such as amines to generate radicals, which initiate polymerization of acrylate monomers. Compared with unsubstituted benzophenone it offers better compatibility with monomers/oligomers and stays liquid more easily, so it is often formulated as a low-melting eutectic blend with 4-methylbenzophenone. Low volatility and low yellowing make it a favorite in overprint varnish (OPV) and UV inks.

Applications by industry

  1. UV-curable inks & overprint varnish — surface cure in UV flexo and UV offset inks for paper and film packaging; less odor and migration than benzophenone, so used in low-migration formulations.
  2. UV-curable coatings — furniture UV lacquers, PVC flooring, and hard coats for electronics housings, combined with amine synergists.
  3. UV-curable adhesives & electronic materials — display lamination adhesives, PCB marking inks and other low-yellowing formulations.
  4. Fine-chemical intermediate — starting material for UV absorbers and pharmaceutical intermediates.

Storage & handling

Typical packing is 25 kg steel/plastic drums or 200 kg drums, with 1–5 kg aluminum cans for small lots. As a photoinitiator, UV shielding is critical: keep sealed in light-blocking containers in a cool, dry place (below 30 °C recommended) and re-seal under nitrogen after opening. Summer container heat can cause discoloration — avoid direct sunlight, and note that prolonged exposure under fluorescent light also degrades quality.

Market outlook

  • Size — the global photoinitiator market is projected to grow from about US$2.74 billion in 2025 to US$4.85 billion by 2035 (6.9% CAGR). The UV-curing sub-segment is forecast to grow from US$450 million in 2026 to US$990 million by 2032, a 13.7% CAGR.
  • Regulatory driver — low-VOC rules are accelerating conversion from solvent-borne coatings and inks to UV-curable systems across packaging, electronics, and woodworking. With Germany's Printing Inks Ordinance (GIO) taking effect in January 2027, low-migration food-packaging ink launches keep multiplying, lifting demand for high-purity alternative initiators.
  • UV-LED adoption — LED curing keeps gaining on energy efficiency; trimethylbenzophenone demand is expected to grow alongside hybrid formulations with long-wavelength auxiliary initiators.
  • Supply side — China is the largest producer and consumer of benzophenone-type photoinitiators. Price competitiveness should hold, but ocean-freight and lead-time swings can move unit costs — factor them into second-half procurement plans.

Note for procurement teams

Grade selection

Use Recommended grade
Printing inks & food packaging Low-migration grade (controlled residual solvent & free benzophenone)
General wood & plastic coatings Standard 99% grade

COA checklist — purity (GC ≥ 99%), color (APHA), moisture (KF), melting/solidification point, residual free benzophenone and mesitylene.

Practical tips — confirm at the quotation stage whether the offer is neat trimethylbenzophenone or a eutectic liquid blend with 4-methylbenzophenone. Validate with a small sample before contracting at drum scale for better pricing, and specify light-shielded, ventilated container conditions for summer shipments.

TKNCO supplies 2,4,6-trimethylbenzophenone (CAS 954-16-5) with lot-by-lot manufacturer COA. For quotations, we reply within 24 business hours.

This brief summarizes the public sources below for general information and does not guarantee contract prices at any given time.

References