Cyclohexane is a cycloalkane with the molecular formula C6H12. Cyclohexane is used as a nonpolar solvent for the chemical industry, and also as a raw material for the industrial production of adipic acid and caprolactam, both of which being intermediates used in the production of nylon. On an industrial scale, cyclohexane is produced by reacting benzene with hydrogen. Producers of cyclohexane account for approximately 11.4% of global demand for benzene.Because of its unique chemical and conformational properties, cyclohexane is also used in labs in analysis and as a standard. Cyclohexane has a distinctive detergent-like odor, reminiscent of cleaning products.
Pure cyclohexane in itself is rather unreactive, being a non-polar, hydrophobic hydrocarbon. It can react with very strong acids such as the superacid system HF + SbF5, which will cause forced protonation and "hydrocarbon cracking". Substituted cyclohexanes, however, may be reactive under a variety of conditions, many of which being important to organic chemistry. Cyclohexane is highly flammable.
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