N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is a chemical compound with 5-membered lactam structure. It is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid miscible with water. It is also miscible with most common solvents such as ethyl acetate, chloroform, benzene and lower alcohols or ketones. It also belongs to the class of dipolar aprotic solvents which includes also dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. Other names for this compound are: 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidinone and the brand name Pharmasolve.

NMP is used to recover pure hydrocarbons while processing petrochemicals (such as the recovery of 1,3-butadiene using NMP as an extractive distillation solvent) and in the desulfurization of gases. Due to its good solvency properties N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is used to dissolve a wide range of chemicals, especially in the polymers field. It also used as a solvent for surface treatment of textiles, resins and metal coated plastics or as a paint stripper.^[1] It is utilized as a solvent in the commercial preparation of polyphenylene sulfide. In the pharmaceutical industry, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is used in the formulation for drugs by both oral and transdermal delivery routes.^[2]

NMP and its derivatives are used as intermediates for the synthesis of agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, textile auxiliaries, plasticizers, stabilizers and specialty inks. It is also employed as a nylon precursor. The rubber industry uses it for SBR latex production and the electronics industry for printed circuit board manufacturing.^[1]

World production capacity for NMP was 226 million lb in 2006. NMP has desirable properties such as low volatility, low flammability and relatively low toxicity. However, it has been identified as a reproductive toxicant, first by California in 2001^[3] and then by the European Commission in 2003.^{[citation needed]} In the face of increasing regulation, some manufacturers are considering alternative solvents for some applications, especially where worker exposure is difficult to control, such as in paint stripping, graffiti removal and agriculture.^[4]