Cyclohexanone is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H10O. It is a saturated cyclic ketone in which the carbonyl carbon atom is contained within a six-membered ring. It is a colorless, transparent liquid with an earthy odor. When it contains trace amounts of phenol, it has a minty flavor. Impure forms are pale yellow, and with age, impurities develop, resulting in a watery white to grayish-yellow color. It has a strong, pungent odor. Its explosive properties when mixed with air are similar to those of open-chain saturated ketones. Industrially, it is primarily used as a raw material and solvent for organic synthesis, dissolving nitrocellulose, coatings, and paints, for example.

PRODUCT PROPERTIES

Density: 0.947 g/cm³

Melting Point: -47°C

Boiling Point: 155°C

Flash Point: 44°C (CC)

Refractive Index: 1.450 (20°C)

Saturated Vapor Pressure: 0.5 kPa (20°C)

Critical Temperature: 356°C

Critical Pressure: 3.8 MPa

Ignition Temperature: 420°C

Upper Explosion Limit (V/V): 9.4%

Lower Explosion Limit (V/V): 1.1%

Appearance: Colorless, transparent liquid

Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, miscible in most organic solvents, including alcohols, ethers, benzene, and acetone

PRODUCT USES

Cyclohexanone is an important chemical raw material and a major intermediate in the manufacture of nylon, caprolactam, and adipic acid. It is also an important industrial solvent, used in paints, particularly those containing nitrocellulose, vinyl chloride polymers and their copolymers, or methacrylate polymers. It is an excellent solvent for pesticides such as organophosphorus insecticides and many similar pesticides. It is also used as a solvent for dyes, a viscous solvent for piston-type aviation lubricants, and a solvent for greases, waxes, and rubber. It is also used as a leveling agent for dyed and matte silk, a degreasing agent for polished metal, and for wood staining and varnishing. It is used as a high-boiling-point solvent in cosmetics such as nail polish. It is often mixed with low- and medium-boiling-point solvents to achieve an appropriate evaporation rate and viscosity.