Caprolactam (CPR)

Caprolactam (CPR)

Caprolactam (CPR) is synthesized from cyclohexanone, which is produced from benzene by either phenol via hydrogenation, cyclohexane via oxidation, or cyclohexene via hydration. Cyclohexanone reacts with ammonia-derived hydroxylamine to form cyclohexanone oxime, which undergoes molecular rearrangement to form seven-membered ring caprolactam. Caprolactam (CPR) is a cyclic amide, a lactam, contains six carbon atoms, and almost all of its annual production is used as the monomer for nylon 6 production. A small amount of CPR, less than 5% of total production, is used in non-nylon applications like textile stiffeners, plasticizers, synthetic leather, cross-linking agents for polyurethanes, and in the synthesis of lysine.