Cyclohexane is the six-membered alicyclic
hydrocarbon consisting of six carbon atoms linked to each other to form a ring,
with each carbon atom bearing two hydrogen atoms, C6H12. A cyclic compound is an
organic compound that contains one or more closed rings of carbon atoms. The
term alicyclic refers to cyclic compound that behaves chemically like aliphatic
compounds (open-chain), which means the exclusion of carbocyclic compounds of
aromatic rings with an array of ��-electrons characteristic. Cyclohexane is a
colorless, highly flammable, mobile liquid with a pungent odor. It is insoluble
in water and soluble in alcohol, ether, and almost organic solvents. Cyclohexane
is a non-corrosive and quick volatilize liquid and sublimes between -5 to 5 C.
Cyclohexane can exist in a number of interconvertible three-dimensional
conformations, the two simplest being are the chair and boat conformation and
others include the half-chair and twist-chair conformation. Cyclohexane can
cause irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes in workers. Repeated and
prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. The substance has not been
shown to cause the hematologic changes associated with exposure to benzene.
Cyclohexane occurs naturally in crude oils. Some cyclohexane is recovered from
petroleum streams by fractionation. The bulky commercial production of
cyclohexane is based on hydrogenation of benzene in closed system. Cyclohexane
consumption is linked almost entirely to nylon production. Nylon is further
processed into fibers for applications in carpeting, automobile tire cord,
clothing, and other growing industrial fields. Cyclohexane is used as a solvent,
oil extractant, paint and varnish remover, dry cleaning material, and in solid
fuels. It has been used as a insecticide itself. Cyclohexane is used as a
chemical intermediate to produce target molecules. Natural compounds of one to
five alicyclic rings with great variety and complexity are found particularly in
steroids and terpenes. Cyclohexane structure, six membered-ring, is one of the
major skeleton in nature. Cyclohexane derivatives can be used for the synthesis
of pharmaceuticals, dyes, herbicides, plant growth regulator, plasticizers,
rubber chemicals, cycloamines and other organic compounds.
Dicyclohexylamine
or a derivative thereof,
is used as an additive
for prevention of CO2, corrosion in steam
pipelines and boilers. It is used as an
intermediate for the production of antioxidants and vulcanization accelerator.
It is used as a catalyst for flexible polyurethane foams.
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