2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a mild, ester-like odor. It is a methacrylate monomer containing both a vinyl and a hydroxyl functional group, making it highly reactive and versatile in polymer chemistry. It is primarily used in the production of hydrogels, UV-curable coatings, adhesives, dental materials, and artificial nails. Due to its hydrophilic nature and biocompatibility, it is widely applied in biomedical devices, including contact lenses and tissue engineering scaffolds. HEMA readily undergoes free-radical polymerization and is often stabilized with monomethyl ether hydroquinone (MEHQ) to prevent premature polymerization during storage.