Cyclohexylbenzene is the organic compound with the structural formula . It is a derivative of benzene with a cyclohexyl substituent (C6H11). It is a colorless liquid.
Cyclohexylbenzene is produced by the acid-catalyzed alkylation of benzene with cyclohexene.[1] [2] The process can proceed using benzene as the exclusive organic precursor. Its partial hydrogenation gives cyclohexene, which alkylates the unhydrogenated benzene.
It is also generated by the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene,[3] and ExxonMobil took a patent in 2009 for a process based on direct hydroalkylation of two benzene molecules.
A route to phenol analogous to the cumene process begins with cyclohexylbenzene, which is oxidized to a hydroperoxide, akin to the production of cumene hydroperoxide. Via the Hock rearrangement, cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide cleaves to give phenol and cyclohexanone:
Cyclohexanone is an important precursor to some nylons.[4]