Substance profile
Caprolactam
Caprolactam is hygroscopic leaflets from petroleum ether with an unpleasant odor.
01 · Identification
What Caprolactam is
Caprolactam is hygroscopic leaflets from petroleum ether with an unpleasant odor. Its molecular formula is C6H11NO and its molecular weight is 113.16 g/mol. It boils at 270 °C, melts at 69.3 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Caprolactam
- ε-caprolactam
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P312, P313, P330, P332, P337, P338, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Caprolactam properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 270 °C (518 °F) | HSDB | |
| 268.33 °C (515 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 266.89 °C (512.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 69.3 °C (156.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 68.89 °C (156 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.01 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.02 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 1.05 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Soluble in chlorinated solvents, petroleum distillate, and cyclohexene. | HSDB | |
| Freely sol in methanol, ethanol,tetrahydrofurfuryl alc; ether, dimethylformamide, sol in chlorinated hydrocarbons, cyclohexene, petroleum fractions | HSDB | ||
| Soluble in benzene, ethanol, and chloroform | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 8e-8 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.001 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.0019 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 138.89 °C (282 °F) | NIOSH | |
| 125 °C (257 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 375 °C (707 °F) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.4 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 8 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| Vapor density | 3.91 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Caprolactam
Incompatible materials
Strong oxidizers, (acetic acid + dinitrogen trioxide).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
CAPROLACTAM is hygroscopic. This compound can react with strong oxidizing agents and strong bases. It can also react with chlorinated hydrocarbons and nitro compounds. A potentially explosive reaction occurs with acetic acid + dinitrogen trioxide. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Caprolactam in the storage compatibility matrix →