N-Methylmaleimide

N-Methylmaleimide (MMI, CAS 930‑88‑1) is a key organic intermediate and fine chemical. Its unsaturated pyrrole ring bears carbonyl (C=O) groups. As a novel resin modifier, MMI raises the glass‑transition and decomposition temperatures of engineering plastics such as ABS, PVC and PMMA, thereby improving their processability and mechanical properties. It is also widely used as an intermediate in the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals and functional polymers. 

Hangzhou Bais Chemical has established a 10‑tonne‑per‑year advanced production facility in Lin’an, capable of consistently delivering MMI with purity above 98%, thus ensuring a reliable supply of high‑quality raw material for industrial applications.

Its main applications can be summarized as follows:

Industrial Fields:

As a polymer material modifier, MMI is a highly efficient modifying monomer that can significantly enhance the mechanical properties and thermal stability of materials. Taking polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as an example, introducing MMI during the preparation process allows MMI to bond with the PVC molecular chains via covalent bonds, thereby altering the chain structure and mechanical properties.

Sulfhydryl Blocking Reagent:

MMI can specifically react with sulfhydryl groups (–SH) in proteins and peptides to form stable covalent bonds. This characteristic makes it an important tool for studying the function of sulfhydryl-containing biomolecules (such as certain enzymes) by observing activity changes upon blocking the sulfhydryl sites.

Reaction Reagent:

MMI can serve both as a reaction raw material in the construction of complex organic molecules like pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and in copper-catalyzed multicomponent reactions. Simultaneously, it acts as a dienophile in Diels–Alder reactions, making it a common reagent for constructing six-membered ring compounds.

Pharmaceutical Fields:

In biomedical synthesis, MMI is a crucial intermediate. By reacting with compounds containing amino or sulfhydryl groups, it helps build anticancer drug precursors with specific structures and functions, used in the preparation of targeted drugs to reduce damage to normal cells. Additionally, it serves as a synthetic intermediate for anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, alleviating pain by inhibiting COX-2 expression and reducing inflammation-induced prostaglandin elevation.

Emerging Fields:

Beyond the established applications mentioned above, N-Methylmaleimide also shows potential in cutting-edge areas. For instance, it can act as an organic structure-directing agent in the synthesis of novel materials like silicogermanate zeolites. It is also used in the preparation of maleimide-based ionic liquids for developing more stable organic electrolytes for applications in high-voltage capacitors, among others.

N-Methylmaleimide (CAS: 930-88-1) is widely used in polymer materials, processing industries, and the pharmaceutical sector. It benefits from mature production processes and stable quality and output.

BaisChem with our own proprietary R&D team and integrated production/QC systems, offering end‑to‑end technical support. Its advanced production line reliably supplies ≥98% purity products. Our MMI meets leading international standards, having earned strong approval from clients worldwide—making our N-Methylmaleimide a dependable choice.