Caprolactam

Abstract

Cyclohexanone (ONE) is first produced via oxidation of cyclohexane by air at 16S'C and 10.7 bar. Yield of ONE is 81 mole percent. A hydroxylamine solution is then contacted with the ONE to produce the cyclohexanone oxime. Caprolactam is produced by Beckmann rearrangement in the presence of oleum and ammonia. Caprolactam is produced after purification in cation columns by ion exchange by distillation, condensation and flaking.