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 takes sourcing inquiries for 2,4,6-trimethylbenzophenone (CAS 954-16-5). Send the product name or CAS number and we confirm sourcing feasibility within 48 hours; any shipment comes with the manufacturer's lot-by-lot COA.

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

References