Product Overview
Cyclohexanone Technical Grade is a colorless to pale yellow liquid solvent with a distinctive odor reminiscent of peppermint and acetone. It serves two primary roles in industrial chemistry: as a solvent capable of dissolving a broad range of resins and coatings, and as a reactive intermediate in the synthesis of nylon and other polymers. Technical Grade suits process-scale industrial work — paint formulation, polymer manufacturing, and extraction operations — where high analytical-reagent purity is unnecessary but consistent solvent performance is expected.
We stock and ship this product daily from our warehouse in Taylor, TX, in sizes ranging from 1-liter bottles through 55-gallon drums. Every shipment goes out DOT-compliant and hazmat-labeled.
Why This Grade
Technical Grade cyclohexanone is built for throughput, not for trace-level analytical work. If your operation dissolves resins by the drum, feeds a nylon precursor reactor, or runs solvent extraction at pilot or production scale, Technical Grade delivers the solvency and reactivity you need without paying for reagent-level certification you will never use.
The trade-off is straightforward. Technical Grade carries enough purity for most industrial solvent and intermediate applications. Operations that require tighter impurity specifications — pharmaceutical extraction with validated methods, for example, or analytical reference work — should confirm that this grade's profile meets their process tolerances by reviewing the Technical Data Sheet before ordering.
Chemical Profile
Cyclohexanone (C6H10O, CAS 108-94-1, molecular weight 98.14) is a flammable liquid at room temperature. It appears as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with an odor reminiscent of peppermint and acetone. The liquid is less dense than water at 0.945 g/mL (68 °F), so spills will float on water surfaces — an important containment detail. It is moderately soluble in water at 50–100 mg/mL (64 °F). Vapor pressure sits at 5.2 mmHg at 77 °F, rising to 10 mmHg at 101.7 °F, which means noticeable vapor generation at warm ambient temperatures. Vapors are heavier than air and will accumulate in low-lying areas. The flash point is 111 °F — well within flammable-liquid territory and a primary driver of its Class 3 hazmat classification (per 49 CFR 172.101).
Industrial Applications
Cyclohexanone finds its way into a handful of core industrial processes, each exploiting either its solvent strength or its reactivity as a carbonyl intermediate.
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Paint and Coatings Solvent — Cyclohexanone dissolves a wide range of natural and synthetic resins, including nitrocellulose, vinyl, and alkyd systems. Coatings formulators use it as a slow-evaporating solvent that improves film flow and leveling. Its moderate vapor pressure gives a longer open time compared to faster ketones like MEK.
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Nylon Intermediate — This is the highest-volume use globally. Cyclohexanone is oxidized to produce adipic acid (a nylon 66 precursor) or converted to caprolactam (the nylon 6 monomer). Manufacturers purchasing at drum or tote scale are typically feeding pilot-line or specialty polymer operations.
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Extraction Solvent — Cyclohexanone's combination of moderate water solubility and strong organic-phase solvency makes it effective for liquid-liquid extraction of various organic compounds in pharmaceutical and chemical processing.
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Chemical Intermediate — Beyond nylon, cyclohexanone serves as a starting material for cyclohexanone oxime, cyclohexanol, and other derivatives used in specialty chemical synthesis.
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Plasticizer Component — In polymer processing, cyclohexanone functions as a plasticizer or co-solvent, improving the flexibility and processability of certain plastic formulations.
Handling & Storage
Cyclohexanone carries a Danger signal word (per the product's GHS classification). The hazard profile demands respect:
- H226 — Flammable liquid and vapour (per the product's GHS classification)
- H302 — Harmful if swallowed (per the product's GHS classification)
- H312 — Harmful in contact with skin (per the product's GHS classification)
- H315 — Causes skin irritation (per the product's GHS classification)
- H318 — Causes serious eye damage (per the product's GHS classification)
- H332 — Harmful if inhaled (per the product's GHS classification)
- H335 — May cause respiratory irritation (per the product's GHS classification)
PPE: Chemical splash goggles (not safety glasses — H318 means serious eye damage risk), chemical-resistant gloves, and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection in enclosed spaces. Skin contact should be minimized; this product is a skin irritant and is harmful through dermal absorption.
Storage: Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and open flame. Store in HDPE or glass containers. Keep away from strong oxidizing agents and strong acids, which can initiate hazardous reactions. Protect from prolonged light exposure to maintain product stability. Ground and bond containers during transfer to prevent static discharge — the 111 °F flash point makes ignition a realistic hazard in warm environments.
Hazmat & Shipping
Cyclohexanone is a regulated hazardous material for transport. Every shipment from our Taylor, TX facility goes out with proper DOT hazmat labeling, markings, and documentation.
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UN Number: UN1915 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class: 3 — Flammable Liquid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group: III (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Proper Shipping Name: Cyclohexanone (per 49 CFR 172.101)
Packing Group III indicates the lowest degree of danger within Class 3 flammable liquids, which allows more packaging options and generally lower freight surcharges compared to PG I or PG II materials. We handle the hazmat packaging, labeling, and carrier coordination — your shipment arrives ready for receipt.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet ships with every order. SDS documents are available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A Technical Data Sheet is also available for specification review before purchase. We provide a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis on request, documenting the quality profile of the specific batch you receive.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
We are hazmat operators. Cyclohexanone ships from our Taylor, TX warehouse daily — packed, labeled, and documented to DOT standards. Our shipping and handling guidance is reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist, so the compliance paperwork that arrives with your drum is correct the first time. We carry pack sizes from single liters for bench work through 55-gallon drums for production floors, and we do not charge hazmat fees on top of the product price. Order today, it ships today.
