Cyclohexanone

Cyclohexanone is a six-membered cyclic ketone with formula C₆H₁₀O. It is produced on a large scale as an intermediate for nylon precursors, especially adipic acid and caprolactam.

Cyclohexanol: Cyclohexanol is a six-membered cyclic alcohol with formula C₆H₁₂O. Oxidation of cyclohexanol is a major industrial route to cyclohexanone.
Nylon 6: Nylon 6 is a synthetic polyamide made by polymerizing caprolactam. Cyclohexanone can enter its production chain through the caprolactam route.
Ketone: A ketone is an organic compound containing a carbonyl carbon bonded to two carbon groups. Cyclohexanone belongs to this functional-group family.
Nylon: Nylon is a family of synthetic polyamides used in fibers, engineering plastics, and films. Demand for nylon established the industrial importance of cyclohexanone-derived feedstocks.
Cyclohexanone oxime: Cyclohexanone oxime is the oxime formed by reacting cyclohexanone's carbonyl group with hydroxylamine. Its rearrangement produces caprolactam, a nylon 6 precursor.
Nylon 6,6: Nylon 6,6 is a polyamide made by condensing hexamethylenediamine with adipic acid. Cyclohexanone-derived adipic acid supplies one of its two monomers.
Carbonyl group: A carbonyl group consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to oxygen. Its polarized bond gives cyclohexanone its characteristic reactions.
Wallace Carothers: Wallace Carothers was an American chemist whose DuPont research helped establish synthetic polyamides and neoprene. His nylon research helped create the market that drove cyclohexanone production.
Beckmann rearrangement: The Beckmann rearrangement converts oximes into amides under acidic or activating conditions. It transforms cyclohexanone oxime into caprolactam in a major nylon 6 process.
Cyclohexanone–cyclohexanol mixture: The cyclohexanone–cyclohexanol mixture is an industrial oxidation product used as feed for adipic acid manufacture. This commercial intermediate contains cyclohexanone alongside its corresponding alcohol.

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Alicyclic compoundBroader topic: This alicyclic carbonyl compound is a key industrial precursor to nylon.