Properties and Uses of Cyclohexylamine

Cyclohexylamine (CHA) is a h3 organic base primarily used as a chemical intermediate for synthesizing other compounds, and as a corrosion inhibitor in industrial water systems.

Key Properties

It is a colorless liquid with a h3, unpleasant fishy odor, detectable at very low concentrations (2.6 ppm).

Physical Constants: Boiling point is 134.5 °C, melting point is -17.7 °C, and density is about 0.86 g/cm³ (at 25 °C).

Solubility: It is completely miscible with water and most common organic solvents (alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons).

Chemical Behavior: It is a h3 base (0.01% aqueous solution has a pH of 10.5) and forms an azeotrope with water (boiling at 96.4 °C, containing 44.2% CHA).

Flammability: It is a flammable liquid with a flash point around 27–31 °C.

Main Uses

Chemical Intermediate: The largest use is as an intermediate for synthesizing rubber vulcanization accelerators (like CBS), artificial sweeteners (sodium cyclamate), and other products including dyes, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and plasticizers.

Corrosion Inhibitor: It is used as a volatile corrosion inhibitor for boiler feedwater treatment and industrial water systems, protecting metal surfaces by neutralizing acidic conditions.

Gas Absorbent: It serves as an absorbent for acidic gases.

Solvent: It can be used as a solvent in resins, coatings, and fats.

Safety Note: Cyclohexylamine is corrosive to skin and eyes, harmful if swallowed or inhaled, and flammable. It also attacks aluminum, copper, zinc, and their alloys.