A direct drop‑in alternative to Osaka Organic's MEDOL‑10
Formulators of UV‑curable coatings, inks, adhesives, and 3D printing resins constantly balance three things: reactivity, safety, and substrate adhesion. Traditional monofunctional acrylates like Sinomer THFA (tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate) work well, but they come with skin irritation and noticeable odor – issues that become more critical as regulations tighten and workplace safety standards rise.
SINOMER® EMDOA solves this trade‑off. It is a dioxolane‑based monofunctional acrylate monomer that delivers high dilution power, low surface tension, and excellent adhesion to challenging plastics – with significantly lower odor and skin irritation than THFA. It is chemically identical to Osaka Organic's MEDOL‑10 (CAS 69701‑99‑1) and can be used as a direct substitute in most UV/EB formulations.
MEDOL‑10 was originally developed by Osaka Organic Chemical specifically as a replacement for THFA. The goal was to keep the high solvency and dilution power of THFA – thanks to the dioxolane ring, which is structurally similar to the tetrahydrofuran ring – while dramatically improving the safety profile. The dioxolane structure induces high solvency similar to THFA because both THF and dioxolane are good solvents.
But Osaka Organic went one step further: by introducing a branched side chain (ethyl and methyl groups) and increasing the molecular weight compared to THFA, they created a monomer with much lower skin irritation and much lower odor. The result is MEDOL‑10 – and today, SINOMER® EMDOA brings that same technology to you as a high‑quality, commercially available alternative.
With growing regulatory pressure in the EU to restrict THFA, the market for safer, low‑toxicity alternatives like EMDOA is expanding rapidly.
The dioxolane heterocyclic ring is the key to SINOMER® EMDOA’s performance. Here’s what it delivers:
Property | How It Works | Benefit for You |
High dilution power | The dioxolane ring has strong solvent affinity, similar to THF. | Reduces formulation viscosity without losing cure speed. Ideal as a reactive diluent for UV coatings and inks. |
Low surface tension | The branched ethyl/methyl structure lowers surface energy. | Improves wetting and leveling on low energy plastic surfaces (PET, PP, PE). |
Excellent adhesion | The polar heterocyclic group interacts strongly with non polar polymer surfaces. | Bonds to untreated polyolefin and polyester substrates – no primer needed. |
Low shrinkage | Monofunctional design with a bulky side chain minimizes volume change during polymerization. | Maintains dimensional accuracy in 3D printing and precision coating applications. |
No aquatic toxicity | Safer environmental profile than many conventional acrylates. | Meets stricter environmental regulations. |
This is where SINOMER® EMDOA truly stands out. Compared to THFA, the higher molecular weight (200.23 vs. 156.18) and the branched structure significantly reduce skin irritation (P.I.I. of 1.3) and vapor‑phase odor.
For formulators, this means:
Safer handling – lower risk of sensitization during production and lab work
Better workplace acceptance – less odor complaints from operators
Broader application reach – suitable for consumer‑facing products like UV nail gels, medical adhesives, and food packaging coatings where low toxicity is required
MEDOL‑10 only carries the exclamation pictogram on REACH (not the health hazard symbol), reflecting its much lower hazard classification compared to many other acrylates.
Parameter | SINOMER® EMDOA | Test Method |
Appearance | Colorless clear liquid | Visual |
Color (APHA) | ≤ 25 | GB/T 3143-1982 |
Viscosity (25°C) | 5 – 10 cps (mPa·s) | GB/T 10247-2008 |
Purity (GC) | ≥ 97.5% | GB/T 9722-2023 |
MEHQ inhibitor | 500 ± 50 ppm | GB/T 17530.5-1998 |
Refractive index (nD²⁵) | 1.434 | JB/T 9495.2-1999 |
Molecular weight | 200.23 g/mol | — |
Because of its high dilution power, SINOMER® EMDOA is an excellent reactive diluent for UV‑curable coatings, inks, and varnishes. It reduces system viscosity without relying on non‑reactive solvents, maintaining 100% solids content and fast cure response.
Specific use cases:
UV offset and screen printing inks
UV inkjet inks – low viscosity and low surface tension prevent nozzle clogging
Overprint varnishes for paper and film substrates
The dioxolane ring gives SINOMER® EMDOA exceptional adhesion to low‑surface‑energy plastics like PET, PP, and PE – substrates that traditional acrylates struggle to wet.
Specific use cases:
UV adhesives for bonding untreated polyolefin parts
Primers and tie coats for plastic lamination
Coatings for flexible packaging films
For applications where user safety and comfort matter, SINOMER® EMDOA is a preferred choice over THFA or other high‑odor monomers.
Specific use cases:
UV nail gels and artificial nail compositions
3D printing resins for desktop printers (where operator exposure is frequent)
Medical device adhesives and coatings
Food packaging inks (where low migration and low toxicity are required)
MEDOL‑10 has been patented for use in photocurable artificial nail compositions, confirming its suitability for cosmetic UV applications.
SINOMER® EMDOA works equally well in electron beam (EB) curing systems, where no photoinitiator is required. Its low viscosity and high reactivity make it a good diluent for EB coatings and adhesives.
As reactive diluent: 10–40% of total formulation, depending on target viscosity and cure speed.
As adhesion promoter: 5–20% to improve bonding to PET, PP, PE, and other low‑energy plastics.
In hybrid formulations: Can be blended with THFA, IBOA, or other monofunctional monomers to fine‑tune properties.
Incorporation: Mix directly with oligomers, other monomers, and photoinitiators. No special handling required.
Important: Because of the lower MEHQ inhibitor level (500 ppm vs. higher levels in some competing products), SINOMER® EMDOA may exhibit slightly faster cure speed. Adjust your photoinitiator package if necessary.
Packaging: 25 kg plastic drum; 200 kg epoxy‑lined iron drum.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from light and heat. Keep containers tightly sealed.
Shelf life: 12 months under recommended storage conditions (5–35°C).
Your Challenge | SINOMER® EMDOA Solution |
THFA is being regulated; you need a safer alternative | Direct replacement with better safety profile |
Workers complain about odor and skin irritation | Much lower odor and skin irritation (P.I.I. 1.3) |
Poor adhesion to PET, PP, PE | Dioxolane ring provides strong bonding without primer |
High viscosity makes formulation difficult | Low viscosity (5–10 cps) acts as an effective diluent |
Need a proven, commercially available monomer | Identical to MEDOL 10, with established application history |
Ready to test SINOMER® EMDOA in your formulation? Contact our technical team:
Email: [info@sinocurechem.com]
Website: [www.sinocurechem.com]
We provide:
Samples for qualified customers
Technical datasheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS)
Formulation optimization support
