What is Cyclohexanone Used For?

Cyclohexanone is a clear, pale yellow, or sometimes colorless, chemical liquid that is used as an organic solvent for many purposes. Some say it has a minty, acetone odor. Others describe the odor as pleasant. There are still other people who say the chemical has no odor.

The chemical occurs naturally in crude oil but is also manufactured synthetically. It is the key ingredient in the production of nylon. There are numerous health risks that come with exposure to cyclohexanone.

Although large quantities of the chemical are produced and used annually, there is a replacement for the chemical that is not hazardous, is made from sustainable products, and performs as well as, or outperforms, cyclohexanone. Health risks to the replacement are essentially nonexistent.

What is Cyclohexanone?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Cyclohexanone is “a liquid ketone…used especially as a solvent and in organic synthesis.” The dictionary adds that cyclohexanone is an oily substance. It is sometimes white, sometimes yellow. It is a solvent used in manufacturing nylon. It is also used for thinning resins and lacquers.

The chemical solvent is also known as Anone, Cyclohexyl ketone, and Pimelic ketone. The first known chemical experiment that resulted in the discovery of cyclohexanone was in 1909.

What is Cyclohexanone Used For?

Cyclohexanone is a chemical that mixes well with most other organic solvents. It is found in a variety of consumer products. Some products where it can be found include:

• Adhesives
• Automotive
• Cleaning and furniture care products
• Electronics
• Paints
• Photo chemicals
• Polyesters and synthetic resins

It is also used as a solvent for:

• Cellulose acetate
• Crude rubber
• Degreasers
• Lacquers
• Paints
• Polymers and copolymers
• Resins
• Spot removers
• Waxes

The chemical is also found in the manufacturing of antihistamines and herbicides.

What Industries Use Cyclohexanone?

Many industries use cyclohexanone. A few examples include:

The nylon industry.

The manufacturing of nylon is the main industry that uses cyclohexanone. Derivatives of the chemical are oxidized to produce adipic acid and caprolactam, precursors for nylon 6. Approximately 70 percent of the world’s caprolactam is produced by way of cyclohexanone.

The caprolactam is then heated with water and by way of a complicated chemical process turns into nylon 6. Nylon 6 is found in fishing lines, clothing, stockings, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, lingerie, windbreakers, plastic screws, and more.

The pharmaceutical industry.

Cyclohexanone derivatives are used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as antihistamines.

Other uses.

The chemical derivatives are used as adhesives, in the automotive industry, in cleaning and furnishing care products, as a coating additive, in the synthesis of dyes, in electronics, fuel, herbicides, laboratory chemicals, paint, pesticides, photo chemicals, plasticizers, and rubber chemicals.

It is used as a solvent for crude rubber, cellulose acetate, degreasers, lacquers, paint, polymers, copolymers, resins, spot removers, and waxes.

Risks and Hazards Associated with the Use of Cyclohexanone

Cyclohexanone is a dangerous product and its use in manufacturing comes with health risks and damage to the environment.

Reasons to use a replacement for cyclohexanone are to avoid the risks that come with exposure to cyclohexanone. The substance is harmful if inhaled and may cause irritation and damage to the respiratory tract as well as cause nausea, depression, and headaches.

If cyclohexanone comes into contact with the eyes, nose, and skin, it can cause extreme irritation and damage to the organs. It must be immediately washed away. Exposure can cause drowsiness and lead to unconsciousness. It causes liver and kidney damage to mice and research is being conducted to determine if it causes similar damage in humans.

To avoid damage to the respiratory system and irritation to the eye and skin, it is recommended that personal protective equipment (PPE) be used when handling cyclohexanone.

It is highly flammable and must be stored in a cool, dry place that is well-ventilated and free from any ignition or sparks.

Replace Cyclohexanone with Vertec's environmentally friendly ELSOL® CXR

Vertec has researched and developed an alternate product that replaces the hazardous material cyclohexanone with environmentally friendly ELSOL®CXR. This product does everything that cyclohexanone does but has a formula that reduces its impact on the environment and is not toxic to users.

Specific benefits of replacing cyclohexanone with ELSOL®CXR are:

• It does not contribute to global warming
• It does not contain any environmentally hazardous ingredients
• It does not contain any ozone-depleting chemicals (ODCs)
• It does not contain any hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)
• It is 100 percent biodegradable to water and carbon dioxide
• Made from renewable resources
• High loading capacity
• It leaves no residue
• It is easy and economical to distill or recycle
• It is 20 to 30 percent more efficient in viscosity reduction

Vertec BioSolvents are High Performance and Derived from Renewable Resources

Vertec BioSolvents is an innovative U.S. manufacturer of sustainable, safe, bio-based solvents and solvent blends. Our products are all made with sustainability and performance in mind. You can safely use them as alternatives to petroleum-based solvents.

Contact us online to discuss your solvent needs. We look forward to helping you find the alternative that will work for you as you strive to create a sustainable future for your business.

You may also call us at 630.960.0600 and speak personally to a representative. Ask for a free sample.