PM is a kind of solvent having the lowest boiling point and the fastest evaporating rate among the P-series solvents. It has both hydrophobic covalent ether bond and hydrophilic hydroxy group in its molecular structure. So it has high solubility to both oily and aqueous resins. Its hydroxy group still has reactivity to enable it to act as the chemical intermediate.

In the paint, PM has the features to reduce the film forming temperature, promote the resins to form films and ensure the paint film quality. PM solvent is a good coupling agent in solvent blends. It can replace alcohols solvent in dissolving dyes. During the production of inks, PM appears in some formulas to modify the hydrophilicity of inks to decrease inks' toxicity, improve operation environment and upgrade printing quality.