Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
William Henry Perkin is well known for his 1856 discovery of mauve, the first synthetic dye. Less well known is that nine years later he synthesized methacrylic acid, a chemical that was destined to play a huge role in the development of plastics known as the polyacrylates. The credit for the formation of these plastics goes to German chemist Otto Rohm who discovered that methyl methacrylate, a derivative of methacrylic acid, forms a hard, transparent, glass-like substance when exposed to light. In 1933, he introduced the substance commercially as “Plexiglas.” It turns out that light had initiated a chemical reaction in which the methyl methacrylate molecules, or “monomers,” joined together to form a chain, or a “polymer.” Plexiglas soon found a use as canopies in fighter planes that would not shatter like glass when hit by bullets.
Today, you can encounter polyacrylates in airplane windows, dentures, display cases, furniture, jewelry, car taillights, eye lenses after cataract surgery and in nail salons where they form the basis of “gel nails” and “acrylic nails.” These are not the same. Gel nails feel flexible and natural and are used as overlays on nails, while acrylics are hard and very strong making them suitable for extensions and dramatic shapes. There are some interesting differences in the chemistries.
The “gel” in gel nails consists of acrylate monomers, or “oligomers” in which a few monomers are joined together. When exposed to ultraviolet light, these monomers and oligomers link together to form a flexible plastic. All that is needed is for the technician to apply the gel and place the nails under a UV lamp. In the case of acrylic nails, the technician has to mix a powder with a liquid and apply the mixture to the nail to form a hard, rigid material. The liquid contains methacrylate monomers plus an amine that reacts with benzoyl peroxide in the powder to start a polymerization reaction in which the monomers join to form polymethyl methacrylate. The powder also contains tiny pre-formed beads of polymethyl methacrylate that now become embedded in the newly formed polymer. This leads to a hard material that can be shaped, filed and is suitable for extensions. No ultraviolet light is involved.
While I really appreciate the chemistry involved, I would not like to work in a nail salon because of the occupational risks. Acetone and ethyl acetate are solvents used to remove nail polish, and these linger in the air along with plasticizers that lend flexibility to the polish. There is also dust from filing acrylic nails. All of these can cause respiratory problems and some studies have also suggested that female nail salon workers suffer from menstrual irregularities and pregnancy complications. The risks can be reduced with proper ventilation and protective equipment, but salons do not always feature these.
William Henry Perkin is well known for his 1856 discovery of mauve, the first synthetic dye. Less well known is that nine years later he synthesized methacrylic acid, a chemical that was destined to play a huge role in the development of plastics known as the polyacrylates. The credit for the formation of these plastics goes to German chemist Otto Rohm who discovered that methyl methacrylate, a derivative of methacrylic acid, forms a hard, transparent, glass-like substance when exposed to light. In 1933, he introduced the substance commercially as “Plexiglas.” It turns out that light had initiated a chemical reaction in which the methyl methacrylate molecules, or “monomers,” joined together to form a chain, or a “polymer.” Plexiglas soon found a use as canopies in fighter planes that would not shatter like glass when hit by bullets.
Today, you can encounter polyacrylates in airplane windows, dentures, display cases, furniture, jewelry, car taillights, eye lenses after cataract surgery and in nail salons where they form the basis of “gel nails” and “acrylic nails.” These are not the same. Gel nails feel flexible and natural and are used as overlays on nails, while acrylics are hard and very strong making them suitable for extensions and dramatic shapes. There are some interesting differences in the chemistries.
The “gel” in gel nails consists of acrylate monomers, or “oligomers” in which a few monomers are joined together. When exposed to ultraviolet light, these monomers and oligomers link together to form a flexible plastic. All that is needed is for the technician to apply the gel and place the nails under a UV lamp. In the case of acrylic nails, the technician has to mix a powder with a liquid and apply the mixture to the nail to form a hard, rigid material. The liquid contains methacrylate monomers plus an amine that reacts with benzoyl peroxide in the powder to start a polymerization reaction in which the monomers join to form polymethyl methacrylate. The powder also contains tiny pre-formed beads of polymethyl methacrylate that now become embedded in the newly formed polymer. This leads to a hard material that can be shaped, filed and is suitable for extensions. No ultraviolet light is involved.
While I really appreciate the chemistry involved, I would not like to work in a nail salon because of the occupational risks. Acetone and ethyl acetate are solvents used to remove nail polish, and these linger in the air along with plasticizers that lend flexibility to the polish. There is also dust from filing acrylic nails. All of these can cause respiratory problems and some studies have also suggested that female nail salon workers suffer from menstrual irregularities and pregnancy complications. The risks can be reduced with proper ventilation and protective equipment, but salons do not always feature these.
