Top 18 Industrial Uses of Cyclohexanone

Few industrial chemicals match the reactivity, solubility, and versatility of cyclohexanone. This colorless, oily liquid with a peppermint-acetone odor is a six-carbon cyclic ketone produced at scale, primarily through catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane or hydrogenation of phenol. Its moderate boiling point (155.6°C), broad solubility, and ketone reactivity make it a key building block across industries.

Understanding cyclohexanone uses helps procurement managers, process engineers, and R&D teams select the right solvent or intermediate. Below are 18 major industrial applications, from polymer production to specialized uses in textiles, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals.

Key Takeaways:

• Cyclohexanone is a high-volume industrial ketone used as both an intermediate and a solvent.
  

• The majority of cyclohexanone production supports nylon 6 and nylon 66 manufacturing.
  

• Its strong solvency makes it valuable in coatings, resins, inks, and adhesives.
  

• Cyclohexanone is widely used in agriculture, metal cleaning, textiles, and paint removal.
  

• High-purity grades are essential for pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis.
  

• Its versatility across industries makes cyclohexanone a critical raw material in global supply chains.
  
  
  

18 Industrial Cyclohexanone Uses Across Key Industries

Cyclohexanone is produced industrially through multiple well-established catalytic routes. As shown in the image below, the primary pathways include the oxidation of cyclohexane (commonly using cobalt salts), the hydrogenation of phenol (typically over nickel catalysts), and the dehydrogenation or oxidation of cyclohexanol (often using Zn/Cu systems). These interconnected processes underpin large-scale cyclohexanone manufacturing worldwide.

Source: The industrial production routes of cyclohexanone

Polymer and Fiber Manufacturing

Polymer and fiber manufacturing accounts for the largest share of cyclohexanone uses, primarily driven by its role in nylon and related polymer production.

Caprolactam Production for Nylon 6: About 95% of cyclohexanone produced in the USA is used to produce caprolactam, the monomer for nylon 6. Cyclohexanone reacts with hydroxylamine to form cyclohexanone oxime, which undergoes Beckmann rearrangement to yield caprolactam. Polymerization produces durable, abrasion-resistant nylon 6 used in apparel, industrial yarns, tire cords, and engineering plastics. Nylon 6 demand directly drives cyclohexanone production.

Adipic Acid for Nylon 66: Cyclohexanone is part of “KA oil” (cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone), formed by oxidizing cyclohexane. Further oxidation produces adipic acid, which reacts with hexamethylenediamine to make nylon 66. This polymer is widely used in automotive components, electrical connectors, and high-performance textiles.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Formulations: Cyclohexanone acts as a solvent and processing aid in PVC and PVC copolymer systems. Its strong solvency for vinyl polymers makes it useful in manufacturing and in solvent cements for bonding PVC pipes and sheets in construction and industrial piping.

Cyclohexanone Resins for Coatings: Cyclohexanone is used to produce cyclohexanone resins, hard, light-colored thermoplastics valued for strong adhesion, polymer compatibility, and resistance to yellowing. These resins are used in printing inks, industrial varnishes, and specialty coatings requiring high gloss and durable adhesion.

Solvent Applications

With its high boiling point and slow evaporation rate, cyclohexanone gives coatings, inks, and resins time to level before setting, an advantage over faster ketones like acetone or MEK. The following applications reflect this solvency profile.

Nitrocellulose Paints and Lacquers: Cyclohexanone readily dissolves nitrocellulose, including high-viscosity grades resistant to other ketones. It is used in automotive lacquers, wood finishes, and industrial coatings, often blended with faster solvents to control drying time. Its slower evaporation promotes smoother films and reduces blushing in humid conditions.

Vinyl and Methacrylate Coatings: Cyclohexanone effectively dissolves vinyl chloride and methacrylate ester polymers, making it valuable in specialty coatings for metal protection, flexible packaging, and printed circuits. Its broad compatibility also makes it useful as a bridging solvent in complex formulations.

Natural and Synthetic Resin Solutions: Cyclohexanone dissolves a wide range of resins, including alkyds and epoxies. It is used in industrial maintenance coatings, marine paints, and decorative finishes that require high solids and strong substrate wetting. Its refractive index and density align well with many resin systems, supporting precise formulation.

Wood Stains and Finishes: Cyclohexanone penetrates wood fibers while carrying pigments and binders, making it useful in professional wood stains and toners. Its moderate evaporation rate allows time for wiping and blending, important in furniture manufacturing and millwork.

Nail Polish and Personal Care Products: Cyclohexanone is used in nail lacquers as a high-boiling solvent for nitrocellulose and other film-forming resins. It enables high-solids, glossy finishes while improving adhesion, chip resistance, and application time before the film sets.

Agricultural and Pesticide Industry

The agricultural and pesticide industry relies on cyclohexanone as a solvent carrier in concentrated crop protection formulations.

Solvent Carrier for Organophosphorus Pesticides: Cyclohexanone serves as a primary or co-solvent in emulsifiable concentrate (EC) pesticide formulations. It dissolves high levels of organophosphorus actives and maintains storage stability. Its strong solvency for hydrophobic compounds and partial miscibility with water make it well suited for agricultural applications.

Metal Processing And Surface Treatment

Metal processing and surface treatment applications employ cyclohexanone in degreasing, cleaning, and mold-release formulations.

Industrial Metal Degreasing: Cyclohexanone is used to remove machining oils, grease, and residues from metal parts before painting, plating, or bonding. It is especially effective where water-based cleaning is unsuitable or heavy lubricants must be fully removed prior to surface treatment.

Mold Release Agent for Paints and Varnishes: Cyclohexanone-based formulations are applied to molds as release agents in casting operations. Its solvency for film-forming components and ability to leave a thin, uniform layer support clean release and high-quality surface finishes.

Textile And Dye Industry

The textile and dye industry uses cyclohexanone in dye leveling and fiber finishing processes.

Leveling Agent in Textile Dyeing: Cyclohexanone acts as a leveling agent in dye baths, slowing dye uptake to promote uniform penetration. It is especially useful for nylon, polyester, and acetate fabrics, where it helps prevent streaking and barré defects.

Delustering Agent for Silk and Synthetic Fibers: Cyclohexanone is used in finishing baths to reduce the natural sheen of silk and synthetic fibers. Modifying fiber surfaces, it lowers gloss and creates matte finishes for apparel and technical textiles.

Lubricants And Aviation

Lubricants and aviation applications use cyclohexanone as a viscosity-modifying additive in specialized engine oil formulations.

Lubricating Oil Additive for Piston Aircraft Engines: Cyclohexanone is used as a viscosity modifier in piston aircraft engine lubricating oils. Compatible with mineral base oils, it improves viscosity index and flow performance across a wide temperature range, from cold starts at altitude to sustained high-power operation.

Pharmaceutical And Fine Chemical Synthesis

Pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis uses cyclohexanone as a reactive intermediate and high-purity reaction medium.

Pharmaceutical Intermediate and API Synthesis: Cyclohexanone’s ketone group and cyclic structure make it a useful building block and reaction medium in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It serves as a precursor for various active ingredients, including anti-inflammatory and CNS compounds. Cyclohexanone analogs of ligustrazine have shown inhibitory activity against COX-1, COX-2, and LOX enzymes, highlighting potential applications in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Cleaning And Paint Removal

Cleaning and paint-removal applications use cyclohexanone as a high-boiling solvent to strip coatings, varnishes, and adhesive residues.

Paint and Varnish Removers / Spot Removers: Cyclohexanone is used in industrial paint strippers and spot removers due to its strong solvency for cured coatings, varnishes, and adhesives. Its high boiling point extends the contact time on vertical surfaces, thereby improving the penetration of thick films. It also removes grease, inks, and resinous soils resistant to water-based cleaners.

Advanced Polymer Synthesis

Advanced polymer synthesis employs cyclohexanone as a precursor to produce methacrylate and specialty acrylic polymers.

Monomer in Methacrylate Ester Polymer Production: Cyclohexanone is an upstream precursor to cyclohexyl methacrylate, produced via cyclohexanol. This monomer polymerizes into acrylic systems valued for weather resistance, hardness, and clarity. Applications include automotive clearcoats, optical lenses, and specialty adhesives.

Cyclohexanone remains a cornerstone chemical across multiple industrial sectors due to its versatility as both a reactive intermediate and a high-performance solvent. From enabling large-scale nylon production to supporting coatings, agricultural formulations, pharmaceuticals, metal treatment, and advanced polymers, its functional properties make it indispensable in modern manufacturing. As global demand for engineered materials and specialty chemicals continues to grow, the breadth of cyclohexanone uses ensures its ongoing importance in industrial supply chains worldwide.

At Lab Pro, we support industrial operations with dependable access to high-quality chemicals and laboratory supplies required for safe, consistent manufacturing processes. Our portfolio includes essential solvents such as cyclohexanone, along with related materials used in polymer production, coatings, agricultural formulations, and pharmaceutical applications. These products help manufacturers maintain controlled processes and reduce operational risk.

Our Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) services ensure that critical materials are available when needed, minimizing disruptions that could impact production timelines or product quality. By pairing reliable chemical supply with proactive inventory management, Lab Pro helps facilities maintain organized, compliant, and efficient operations.

Support consistent production with trusted chemical supply and efficient inventory control.

Explore Lab Supplies

FAQs

How do cyclohexanone uses differ from those of cyclohexanol, and can they be substituted?
Cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol are related but not interchangeable. Cyclohexanone’s ketone group provides strong solvency for nitrocellulose and vinyl polymers and enables reactions such as oxime formation during the production of nylon 6. Cyclohexanol, an alcohol, is used where a hydroxyl group is required, such as in esterification or lower-odor solvent applications. Substitution typically requires performance testing.

What purity grade is required for pharmaceutical versus industrial cyclohexanone uses?
Industrial solvent uses typically require technical-grade cyclohexanone at ≥98% purity, where minor moisture and impurities are acceptable. Pharmaceutical and fine chemical uses generally require ≥99.8% purity, documented impurity profiles, residual solvent testing, and ICH Q3C compliance. Additional limits may apply for heavy metals, peroxides, and UV absorbance.

Are sustainable or bio-based alternatives emerging for cyclohexanone uses?
Bio-based production routes are under development. These include microbial fermentation of lignocellulosic sugars and phenol hydrogenation using green hydrogen. Commercial-scale supply is limited today, but investment in green chemistry suggests increased availability over time, particularly for companies targeting Scope 3 emissions reductions.

What are the key occupational health considerations for industrial cyclohexanone uses?
Primary exposure routes are inhalation and skin contact. Occupational exposure limits typically range from 25 to 50 ppm (8-hour TWA), depending on jurisdiction. Proper ventilation, chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, grounding during transfer, and spill controls are recommended. Engineering controls should be prioritized over respiratory PPE.

How should cyclohexanone be stored for high-purity uses such as pharmaceutical synthesis?
Store in tightly sealed stainless steel or HDPE containers below 30°C in a well-ventilated area away from oxidizers and ignition sources. For high-purity uses, inert gas blanketing helps prevent peroxide formation and moisture uptake. Typical shelf life is 12–24 months; retesting is recommended for critical applications.