cyclohexaani

Cyclohexane is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid and a cyclic hydrocarbon with the formula C6H12. It consists of six carbon atoms arranged in a ring with all single bonds, making it a saturated cycloalkane. The six-membered ring commonly adopts chair conformations, which are relatively low in energy compared with other shapes.

In the absence of substituents, cyclohexane has no geometric or optical isomerism. However, the ring can interconvert between chair and boat (and twist-boat) conformations, with the chair form being the most stable at room temperature. When substituents are present, they can occupy axial or equatorial positions, giving rise to the familiar conformational preferences of cyclohexane derivatives.

Cyclohexane has a boiling point of about 80.7 °C and a melting point around −95 °C. It is largely nonpolar and is immiscible with water, but dissolves many nonpolar solvents. It is relatively dense as a liquid and is commonly used as a solvent in organic synthesis and in various analytical procedures.

Industrial production and uses: Cyclohexane is mainly produced by catalytic hydrogenation of benzene or as part of the larger petrochemical stream. It is a major feedstock for the production of adipic acid and caprolactam, key precursors for nylon-6,6. In the production chain, cyclohexane is often oxidized to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol (KA oil), which are further processed to adipic acid.

Safety and handling: Cyclohexane is flammable and its vapors can form explosive mixtures with air. Exposure can affect the central nervous system; use only in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources, and store in a cool, tightly closed container away from oxidizers.