ε-Caprolactam is used as a monomer in the preparation of synthetic fibers of the polyamide as well as a solvent for high molecular weight polymers. It is also used in coatings and plasticizers. Further, it is used as a cross linking agent for polyurethanes. In addition to this, it is used to prepare nylon-6, which finds application in fibers and plastics.
This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.
Applications
ε-Caprolactam is used as a monomer in the preparation of synthetic fibers of the polyamide as well as a solvent for high molecular weight polymers. It is also used in coatings and plasticizers. Further, it is used as a cross linking agent for polyurethanes. In addition to this, it is used to prepare nylon-6, which finds application in fibers and plastics.
Solubility
Soluble in benzene, ethanol, water, chloroform, methanol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, ether, dimethylformamide, chlorinated hydrocarbons, cyclohexene and petroleum fractions.
Notes
Hygroscopic. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong bases.
RUO – Research Use Only
Tunc, D.; Bouchekif, H.; Améduri, B.; Jérôme, C.; Desbois, P.; Lecomte, P.; Carlotti, S. Synthesis of aliphatic polyamide bearing fluorinated groups from epsilon-caprolactam and modified cyclic lysine. Eur. Polym. J. 2015, 71, 575-584.
Beerthuis, R.; Rothenberg, G.; Shiju, N. R. Catalytic routes towards acrylic acid, adipic acid and epsilon-caprolactam starting from biorenewables. Green Chem. 2015, 17 (3), 1341-1361.