N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone is an organic compound consisting of a 5-membered lactam. It is a colorless liquid, although impure samples can appear yellow. It is miscible with water and with most common organic solvents. 

Boiling point: 395.6°F (202°C)

Density: 1.03 g/cm³

Molar mass: 99.13 g/mol

Formula: C5H9NO

Solubility in water: Soluble

Melting point: −24 °C (−11 °F; 249 K)

NMP is used to recover certain hydrocarbons generated in the processing of petrochemicals, such as the recovery of 1,3-butadiene and acetylene. It is used to absorb hydrogen sulfide from  sour gas and hydrodesulfurization facilities. Its good solvency properties have led to NMP's use to dissolve a wide range of polymers. Specifically, it is used as a solvent for surface treatment of textiles, resins, and metal coated plastics or as a paint stripper. It is also used 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.It is also used heavily in lithium ion battery fabrication, as a solvent for electrode preparation, because NMP has a unique ability to dissolve polyvinylidene fluoride binder. Due to NMP's toxicity and high boiling point, there is much effort to replace it in battery manufacturing with other solvent, like water.