High-Purity Solvents, Ketones

Cyclohexanone (CYC)

Cyclohexanone is a clear, colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with a pungent, acetone-like odor. It is a cyclic ketone represented by the chemical formula C6H10O and is recognized by the CAS registry number 108-94-1. This organic compound serves as a critical intermediate in the global chemical industry, primarily utilized in the production of precursors for nylon, such as adipic acid and caprolactam. It is slightly soluble in water but highly miscible with common organic solvents, including alcohols and ethers. Due to its excellent solvency power, it is widely employed in various industrial formulations, ranging from paints and lacquers to adhesives and degreasing agents. While it is naturally occurring in small amounts in some essential oils, industrial production predominantly involves the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane or the hydrogenation of phenol. As a volatile organic compound, it requires careful handling due to its flammability and potential health effects upon prolonged exposure.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Excellent solvency power for a wide range of natural and synthetic resins and polymers.
High boiling point and slow evaporation rate ensure consistent application in coatings.
Versatile chemical intermediate crucial for large-scale nylon-6 and nylon-66 manufacturing.
Miscible with most organic solvents, enhancing formulation flexibility for industrial cleaners.
Acts as a leveling agent in lacquers to prevent blushing and improve finish quality.
Effective degreaser for metal surfaces due to its ability to dissolve oils and fats.
Stable chemical structure allows for predictable reactions in organic synthesis.
Cost-effective industrial solvent for mass-market production cycles providing significant economic advantages for large manufacturing facilities.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular Weight: 98.14 g/mol with a density of 0.947 g/cm3 at room temperature.
Boiling Point: approximately 155.6°C, making it a high-boiling solvent for stable applications.
Flash Point: 44°C (closed cup), requiring standard flammable liquid storage protocols.
Solubility: 2.4 g/100 mL in water; fully miscible with ethanol and diethyl ether.
Refractive Index: 1.447 at 20°C, indicating specific optical properties for quality control.
Vapor Pressure: 4.5 mmHg at 25°C, contributing to its moderate evaporation profile.
Viscosity: 2.02 mPa·s, facilitating ease of pumping and mixing in industrial settings.
Auto-ignition temperature is 420°C, which is critical for safety assessments within various chemical processing units.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Primary feedstock for synthesizing adipic acid and caprolactam in the global nylon industry.
Solvent in paints, varnishes, and lacquers to improve flow and finish characteristics.
Key component in PVC cements and adhesives for bonding plastic pipes and components.
Industrial degreasing agent for removing residues from metal machinery and electronic parts.
Formulation of herbicides and pesticides to enhance active ingredient solubility and distribution.
Laboratory reagent for organic chemical synthesis and analytical testing procedures.
Dyeing and printing of textiles to improve color penetration and uniformity.
Production of magnetic tapes and storage media in legacy technology sectors and specialized film coating manufacturing processes.