National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

Cyclohexane: Overview

Description

This compound is used as a solvent to dissolve cellulose ethers, lacquers, resins, fats, waxes, oils, bitumen and crude rubber. It is also used in perfume manufacturing, during surface coating operations (lacquers), in synthesis of adipic acid for production of nylon 66 and engineering plastics, during synthesis of caprolactam in nylon 6, paint and varnish remover, in the extraction of essential oils, in analytical chemistry for molecular weight determinations, in the manufacturing of adipic acid, benzene, cyclohexyl chloride, nitrocyclohexane, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, in the manufacturing of solid fuel for camp stoves, in fungicidal formulations (possesses slight fungicidal action) in the industrial recrystallising of steroids, organic synthesis, recrystallising medium glass substitutes, solid fuels, in analytical chemistry and in manufacturing of adhesives.

Substance details

Substance name: Cyclohexane

CASR number: 110-82-7

Molecular formula: C6H12

Synonyms: hexamethylene; hexanaphthene; hexahydrobenzene, benzenehexahydride 

Physical properties

Cyclohexane is a colourless, mobile liquid with a mild, sweet odour. It is slightly soluble in water and soluble in alcohol, acetone, benzene, ethanol, ethyl ether, olive oil, and carbon tetrachloride.

Melting Point: 6.47°C

Boiling Point: 80.7°C

Specific Gravity: 0.779

Vapour Density: 2.98

1 ppm = 3.44 mg/m3

Formula weight 84.161

Chemical properties

Cyclohexane is a flammable, non-corrosive liquid.

Further information

The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of cyclohexane emissions in Australia.

Key

   Links to an another web site
   Opens a pop-up window

Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist