| 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
¥ð-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. |