Skip to content
caprolactam

Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)

EntityQ409397· pop 33· linked from 86 articles

caprolactam

Sign in to save

Also known as Aminocaproic lactam, epsilon-Caprolactam, Hexahydro-2H-azepin-2-one, 2-Oxohexamethyleneimine, 6-caprolactam, 2-ketohexamethyleneimine, 2-oxohexamethylenimine, Kaprolaktam

Caprolactam (CPL) is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)5C(O)NH. This colourless solid is a lactam (a cyclic amide) of caproic acid. Global demand for this compound is approximately five million tons per year, and the vast majority is used to make nylon 6 filament, fiber, and plastics.

Chemical data

Formula
C6H11NO
Molecular weight
113.16 g/mol
IUPAC name
azepan-2-one
SMILES
C1CCC(=O)NCC1
InChIKey
JBKVHLHDHHXQEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
XLogP
-0.1
Polar surface area
29.1 Ų
H-bond donors
1
H-bond acceptors
1
Formal charge
0

via PubChem

Research

1,728 papers

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Mass
113.084
Show 13 more facts
chemical formula
C₆H₁₁NO
Commons category
Caprolactam
NIOSH Pocket Guide ID
0097
density
1.01
melting point
69.3
boiling point
270
flash point
282
solubility
53
lower flammable limit
1.4
upper flammable limit
8
vapor pressure
0.00000008
canonical SMILES
C1CCC(=O)NCC1
ionization energy
9.07
Sources (3)

via Wikidata · CC0

~4 min read

Article

5 sections
Contents
  • Synthesis and production
  • Uses
  • Safety
  • Climate impact
  • References

Caprolactam (CPL) is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)5C(O)NH. This colourless solid is a lactam (a cyclic amide) of caproic acid. Global demand for this compound is approximately five million tons per year, and the vast majority is used to make nylon 6 filament, fiber, and plastics.

==Synthesis and production== Caprolactam was first described in the late 1800s when it was prepared by the cyclization of ε-aminocaproic acid, the product of the hydrolysis of caprolactam. World demand for caprolactam was estimated to reach five million tons per year for 2015. 90% of caprolactam produced is used to make filament and fiber, 10% for plastics, and a small amount is used as a chemical intermediate. Due to its commercial significance, many methods have been developed for the production of caprolactam. It was estimated that 90% of all caprolactam is synthesised from cyclohexanone (1), which is first converted to its oxime (2). Treatment of this oxime with acid induces the Beckmann rearrangement to give caprolactam (3): 350px|The Beckmann Rearrangement

Gallery (9)

Connections

Categories