Cyclohexanone

Cyclohexanone is a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with a sweet, peppermint- or acetone-like odor, featuring a six-carbon ring structure with a ketone functional group (formula C₆H₁₀O, molar mass 98.15 g/mol).​

Key Properties

It has a boiling point of 155-156°C, melting point of -31 to -47°C, density of 0.9478 g/mL, and is miscible with most organic solvents but has limited water solubility (8.6 g/100 mL at 20°C). The refractive index is 1.4507 at 20°C, flash point around 44°C, and vapor pressure of 5.2 mm Hg at 25°C.​

Major Uses

Primary intermediate (95% of production) for nylon precursors: oxidized to adipic acid (for nylon 6,6) or converted to cyclohexanone oxime then caprolactam (for nylon 6).​

Solvent in paints, varnishes, lacquers, resins, adhesives, degreasers, spot removers, insecticides, and cellulose acetate processing.​

Additive in detergents, metal degreasing, mold release agents, dyes, lube oils, pharmaceuticals, and herbicides.​