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Methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate (Methyl 4-vinylphenylacetate, IUPAC name methyl 2-(4-ethenylphenyl)acetate, CAS: 62667-42-9) is a styrene derivative functionalized with an acetate ester group at the alpha position of the phenyl ring. Its molecular formula is C₁₁H₁₂O₂, with a molecular weight of 176.21 g/mol, MDL number MFCD18431776, and a predicted boiling point of 255.3 °C at 760 mmHg (density 1.0 ± 0.1 g/cm³). The compound features a terminal vinyl group (-CH=CH₂) attached directly to a 4-substituted phenyl ring, combined with a methyl acetate moiety (-CH₂COOCH₃), a unique architecture that endows it with dual functionality: the vinyl group is highly reactive in free-radical polymerization, while the acetate ester provides an additional handle for further derivatization via hydrolysis, transesterification or amidation.

Because the vinyl group can be polymerized under standard free-radical initiation conditions (e.g., AIBN, benzoyl peroxide, thermal initiators) and copolymerized with other vinyl monomers (acrylates, methacrylates, styrene, maleic anhydride, etc.), the acetate ester can be selectively hydrolyzed without affecting the polymer backbone or can be used to introduce functional side chains post-polymerization. The 4‑substitution pattern places the reactive vinyl group in the para position relative to the acetate-bearing phenyl ring, maximizing electron delocalization and stabilizing the propagating radical during chain growth. As a result, Methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate is the preferred styrene‑derived functional monomer for synthesizing custom polymers with precisely tailored properties — high mechanical strength, improved chemical resistance, enhanced thermal stability and specific surface functionalities.

Core Application Fields and Market Demand

Market demand for this compound is strongly concentrated in three major sectors: advanced polymer synthesis (≈45‑50% of total consumption), specialty coating & adhesive formulations (≈25‑30%), and pharmaceutical & biomedical research (≈15‑20%). Its role as a styrene-based functional monomer accounts for the majority of growth across these industrial and R&D segments.

The global functional monomer market was valued at approximately USD 6.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 10.2 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.2%. The styrene‑derived specialty monomer sub‑segment, which includes methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate, is expanding at an even faster CAGR of 6‑8%, driven by increasing demand for high‑performance polymers in adhesives, coatings and biomedical devices.

1. Advanced Polymer Synthesis (≈45‑50% of total consumption). The compound is widely used as a functional monomer in both free‑radical and controlled radical polymerization techniques (ATRP, RAFT, NMP). It can be homopolymerized to produce poly(vinylphenylacetate) materials or copolymerized with styrene, acrylates, methacrylates, maleic anhydride and other vinyl monomers to access a vast design space. In copolymerization with acrylates, the rigid styrenic segments significantly enhance the tensile strength, modulus and thermal resistance of the resulting polymers, while the acetate ester side chain improves adhesion to polar substrates and allows for post‑polymerization functionalization. In copolymerization with maleic anhydride, the maleic anhydride/vinylphenylacetate alternating structure yields polymers with excellent chemical resistance and thermal stability. The vinylphenyl group is designed as a reactive pendant group that can be activated in situ for further crosslinking or functionalization, and the fully aliphatic backbone is stable even under harsh acidic or basic conditions, making it a core building block for high‑performance specialty polymers.

2. Specialty Coating & Adhesive Formulations (≈25‑30% of total consumption). The vinyl group readily undergoes free‑radical polymerization, making the compound an excellent reactive diluent or co‑monomer in UV‑curable coatings and solvent‑based adhesive systems. Vinyl monomers are known to excel in pressure‑sensitive adhesives, structural bonding and specialty assembly applications, due to their excellent reactivity, good copolymerization with various monomer families and the ability to create polymers ranging from rigid to highly flexible. The acetate group in methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate can be hydrolyzed to the corresponding carboxylic acid, introducing a strongly polar anchor that enhances adhesion to metal, glass and polar polymer surfaces. This dual functionality — polymerizable vinyl group plus an adhesion‑promoting side chain — is highly valued in high‑performance coating formulations for demanding industrial environments. In UV‑curable systems, the compound can be used as a reactive diluent to adjust viscosity while becoming chemically incorporated into the polymer network, eliminating migration and improving final coating durability. The compound has also been explicitly cited as a polymerizable monomer for vesicular photography binders.

3. Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Research (≈15‑20% of total consumption). The methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate scaffold is directly used for the synthesis of biocompatible polymers for drug delivery systems, medical devices and tissue engineering scaffolds. The vinyl group enables the formation of hydrogels and biodegradable copolymers, while the acetate ester can be transformed into carboxylic acid or amide groups for conjugation with bioactive molecules (peptides, proteins, targeting ligands). The compound has also been identified as a key building block in the synthesis of nitroxide derivatives of ROCK kinase inhibitors — a class of pharmaceutical agents with potential applications in cardiovascular and neurological disorders. These nitroxide derivatives serve as important pharmacological tools and candidates for treating a range of disorders, positioning methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate at the front end of targeted drug discovery pipelines.

4. Organic Synthesis & Specialty Chemicals. The compound can be converted to 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetic acid via basic hydrolysis (saponification) or to various amides via activation of the carboxylic acid intermediate with EDCI/HOBt and reaction with amines. It has also been utilized in hydroboration reactions to produce branched alkyl products, serving as a model substrate for cobalt‑catalyzed Markovnikov selective hydroboration of vinylarenes. The versatility of the vinyl group and the orthogonal reactivity of the ester functionality make the compound a valuable starting material for preparing libraries of functionalized styrene derivatives for materials science and medicinal chemistry.

5. Specialty Dyes & Electronic Materials. The rigid, conjugated structure of the styrene backbone, combined with the polar ester group, makes the compound useful as a building block for specialty dyes, photoresist components and organic electronic materials. The vinyl group can be polymerized into photoresist formulations where the ester group provides solubility switching behavior. The compound has also been utilized in the preparation of high refractive index resins with excellent light resistance and hard coating properties, according to patent literature on vinylphenyl compounds for optical materials.

Major Market Participants

The global supply system for methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate follows a pattern of “specialized fine chemical and functional monomer manufacturers, with production and R&D supply concentrated in China, Europe, North America and Japan.” The compound is typically supplied as a clear liquid or crystalline solid with purity ranging from 98% to 99%. Key international suppliers and manufacturers include AK Scientific (>98% purity, 100 mg to 1 g R&D quantities), BenchChem (functional monomer for polymer synthesis, research quantities), BOC Sciences (building block for ROCK kinase inhibitors and other pharmaceutical intermediates), Apollo Scientific (CAS 62667-42-9, UK stock), EvitaChem (medical, environmental and industrial research grades), MolCore (NLT 98% purity, ISO‑certified production), Chem960, Chemsrc and others. Major Chinese manufacturers include Wuhan Xinxinjiali Biotechnology and Shaanxi Didu Pharmaceutical Chemicals, which offer industrial‑scale production with purity grades of 95‑98% for bulk export markets. The compound is available in R&D quantities (100 mg, 250 mg, 1 g, 5 g, 10 g, 25 g, 100 g, 500 g) and industrial bulk scales (1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg, 50 kg, 100 kg and multi‑metric‑ton campaigns).

Regional Market Dynamics

Global demand for methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate shows a clear regional pattern: Asia‑Pacific is the largest and fastest‑growing region for production and industrial consumption, North America and Europe lead in high‑purity R&D and specialty applications, and Latin America & Middle East/Africa are emerging growth regions.

Asia‑Pacific, and China in particular, has emerged as the dominant manufacturing hub for functional monomers and styrene derivatives. Chinese manufacturers have optimized scalable esterification and purification processes, producing high‑purity methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate at highly competitive prices for the global adhesives, coatings and polymer industries. Major provincial production clusters in Shandong, Shaanxi and Hubei have established integrated supply chains for vinylphenyl acetate derivatives, with some producers offering bulk pricing at approximately USD 1.00‑2.00 per gram for industrial quantities. India‘s rapidly expanding specialty polymer and pharmaceutical intermediate sector also drives significant volume demand for functional building blocks.

North America and Europe command the largest share of high‑purity R&D consumption (≥98‑99%), driven by the highest concentration of advanced polymer research, biomedical device development, pharmaceutical discovery programmes and specialty coating innovation. Customer requirements in these regions are stringent: documented purity by GC/HPLC, full traceability, heavy metals analysis (≤10 ppm, ICH Q3D), residual solvents by GC‑headspace, and stability data for long‑term storage. Japan and the Republic of Korea demand ultra‑high‑purity grades for advanced photoresist and electronic materials applications. Leading international suppliers such as AK Scientific, BenchChem, BOC Sciences and Apollo Scientific maintain dedicated stock in the US, UK and European warehouses, with shipping lead times of 1‑3 weeks for R&D quantities.

Storage, Stability & Regulatory Considerations

Methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate (CAS 62667-42-9) should be stored at room temperature (15‑25 °C) in a tightly sealed, dry, light‑protected container containing a radical inhibitor (e.g., hydroquinone, 4‑tert‑butylcatechol, or MEHQ) to prevent premature polymerization. The compound should be kept away from strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, strong acids and radical initiators. Under recommended storage conditions, the monomer is stable for up to 18‑24 months. The compound is not classified as a hazardous material for transport (DOT/IATA: non‑hazardous, no hazmat fees). GHS classification includes Warning (Signal Word), with hazard statements H315 (Causes skin irritation), H319 (Causes serious eye irritation) and H335 (May cause respiratory irritation). Precautionary measures: P261 (Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray), P280 (Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection), P305+P351+P338 (IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do — continue rinsing). HS Code: 2918300090. In the European Union, the compound is subject to REACH regulations; importers and manufacturers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). In the United States, it is regulated under TSCA as a research chemical. In China, the compound is listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC) with customs HS Code 2918300090 and requires safety documentation for manufacturing facilities.

Future Outlook

The market outlook for methyl 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetate is tied to four core drivers: (1) the continued growth of the global functional monomer market — projected to reach USD 10.2 billion by 2033 (CAGR 5.2%), with the styrene‑derived specialty monomer sub‑segment expanding at an even faster CAGR of 6‑8%; (2) the increasing adoption of UV‑curable and solvent‑borne coating systems requiring reactive diluents and performance‑enhancing comonomers; (3) the expansion of the global pressure‑sensitive adhesives market, driven by packaging, automotive assembly and electronics manufacturing; and (4) the growing utilization of functional styrene monomers in biocompatible polymer synthesis, drug delivery systems and medical device coatings.

Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem)

As a world‑leading supplier of organic chemicals, functional monomers and fine chemical intermediates, Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has always focused on the innovative needs of the specialty polymer, coating and pharmaceutical industries. Relying on core advantages in styrene derivative synthesis, esterification and purification, we provide high‑quality Methyl 2-(4-Vinylphenyl)acetate (CAS 62667-42-9) to global customers.

1. Technical Advantages

High Purity & Consistency: Our product achieves purity ≥98% (GC), clear liquid form, molecular weight 176.21 g/mol, MDL MFCD18431776, and moisture <0.3% (KF titration). The ester content is fully characterized, and each batch is tested for vinyl content to ensure polymerization reactivity.
Low Impurity Profile: Strict control of residual solvents (<0.5% total), heavy metals (≤10 ppm, ICH Q3D compliant), residual inhibitors, and related substances by GC‑FID ensures high synthetic performance for polymer, coating and pharmaceutical applications.
Pharmaceutical‑Grade Quality: The compound is tested for full ICH Q3C (residual solvents) and ICH Q3D (heavy metals), and is available with DMF support for pharmaceutical intermediate customers.
Batch‑to‑Batch Uniformity: Rigorous analytical testing (GC, HPLC, NMR, LC‑MS, heavy metals by ICP‑MS, residual solvents by GC‑headspace, Karl Fischer titration) guarantees consistent quality and reproducible reactivity across all production lots.

2. Product Advantages

Versatile Functional Monomer: Directly used as a key building block for advanced polymer synthesis (free‑radical, ATRP, RAFT, NMP), specialty coatings (UV‑curable, solvent‑borne), pressure‑sensitive adhesives, and biomedical polymers.
Pharmaceutical & Drug Discovery Building Block: Key intermediate for nitroxide derivatives of ROCK kinase inhibitors, serving as a pharmacological tool for cardiovascular and neurological drug discovery.
Flexible Packaging Options: 1 g, 5 g, 10 g, 25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 500 g, 1 kg glass bottles/HDPE containers (R&D/pilot); 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg, 50 kg HDPE drums/steel drums (industrial). For UV‑curable and adhesive applications, we can supply the product with custom inhibitor levels (MEHQ, 4‑tert‑butylcatechol, hydroquinone). Full custom packaging available for polymer and coating campaigns.
Reliable Supply Chain: Annual capacity in the multi‑metric‑ton range, with dedicated temperature‑controlled warehousing (room temperature 15‑25 °C, dry, light‑protected, sealed containers with inhibitor present) and just‑in‑time delivery capabilities.

3. Application Fields

Advanced Polymer Synthesis: Free‑radical homopolymerization (poly(vinylphenylacetate) resins), copolymerization with acrylates (enhanced tensile strength, modulus, thermal resistance), copolymerization with styrene (tailored styrenic copolymers), copolymerization with methacrylates, maleic anhydride, and other vinyl monomers; controlled radical polymerization (ATRP, RAFT, NMP) for well‑defined architectures.
Specialty Coatings & Adhesives: UV‑curable coatings (reactive diluent, co‑monomer), solvent‑borne high‑performance coatings, pressure‑sensitive adhesives (PSA), structural bonding adhesives, high‑refractive index optical coatings, photoresist components, vesicular photography binders.
Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Research: Building block for ROCK kinase inhibitor derivatives (nitroxide derivatives for cardiovascular and neurological disorders), biocompatible polymers for drug delivery systems (hydrogels, biodegradable copolymers), medical device coatings, tissue engineering scaffolds, conjugation handles for bioactive molecules.
Organic Synthesis & Specialty Chemicals: Hydrolysis to 2-(4-vinylphenyl)acetic acid, amidation via EDCI/HOBt (peptide coupling), transesterification, hydroboration reactions, building block for libraries of functionalized styrene derivatives.
Electronic Materials & Specialty Dyes: Photoresist components with solubility switching, high refractive index resins, specialty dyes, organic electronic materials.

4. Service Support

Our technical team provides full impurity profiling (GC purity, GC‑FID related substances, residual solvents by GC‑headspace, heavy metals by ICP‑MS, LC‑MS identity confirmation, inhibitor content analysis), custom purification to any desired specification (including inhibitor removal or addition at specified concentration levels), and complete regulatory documentation (Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, REACH compliance, TSCA certification, DMF support for pharmaceutical customers). We also offer custom synthesis of styrene derivatives, cold‑chain logistics for temperature‑sensitive shipments and just‑in‑time delivery.

5. Why Choose XinChem

Professionalism: 20 + years in the specialty polymer, functional monomer and fine chemical industries.
Flexibility: Tailored to customer purity specifications, inhibitor content, packaging sizes and regulatory documentation requirements.
Cost‑effectiveness: High purity at competitive industrial pricing.

Post time: Jun-07-2026

A Versatile Functional Monomer for Advanced Polymer Synthesis, Material Science & Specialty Chemicals: Methyl 2-(4-Vinylphenyl)acetate (CAS 62667-42-9)