Cyclohexylamine is an organic compound, belonging to the aliphatic amine class. It is a colorless liquid, although, like many amines, samples are often colored due to contaminants. It has a fishy odor and is miscible with water. Like other amines, it is a weak base, compared to strong bases such as NaOH, but it is a stronger base than its aromatic analog, aniline.
It is a useful intermediate in the production of many other organic compounds (e.g. cyclamate)
Cyclohexylamine is produced by two routes, the main one being the complete hydrogenation of aniline using some cobalt- or nickel-based catalysts:
C6H5NH2 + 3 H2 → C6H11NH2It is also prepared by alkylation of ammonia using cyclohexanol.
Cyclohexylamine is used as an intermediate in synthesis of other organic compounds. It is the precursor to sulfenamide-based reagents used as accelerators for vulcanization. The amine itself is an effective corrosion inhibitor. It has been used as a flushing aid in the printing ink industry.[1]
It is a building block for pharmaceuticals (e.g., mucolytics, analgesics, and bronchodilators). Most of the drugs in the following list fall into the arena of sulfonamide hypoglycemics though:
Cyclohexylamine has a low acute toxicity with LD50 (rat; p.o.) = 0.71 ml/kg[1] Like other amines, it is corrosive.
Cyclohexylamine is listed as an extremely hazardous substance as defined by Section 302 of the U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has suggested workers not be exposed to a recommended exposure limit of over 10 ppm (40 mg/m3) over an eight-hour workshift.