Methylcyclohexane

About This Product

Methylcyclohexane, formula C7H14 and CAS number 108-87-2, is a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon: a cyclohexane ring carrying one methyl group. It is a colourless, transparent liquid boiling at about 101 °C, insoluble in water and miscible with most organic solvents. It is made by hydrogenating toluene, and its main technical attraction is that it keeps much of toluene's solvency and boiling range while losing the aromatic ring. That makes it a replacement for toluene in adhesives, coatings and cleaning formulations where aromatic content is restricted, and it is why the specification pays particular attention to the aromatics left behind: toluene is held to 10 ppm and benzene is not detectable, with cyclohexane at 1,000 ppm maximum. The same toluene and methylcyclohexane pair is being developed as a liquid organic hydrogen carrier, since the saturated ring can be loaded with hydrogen, shipped as an ordinary liquid and dehydrogenated back to toluene at the point of use. It is used as a solvent for cellulose ethers, rubber, resins and adhesives, in extraction, as a reference material in gas chromatography, and as an intermediate and reaction medium in organic synthesis. Bio Green Chem supplies methylcyclohexane at 99.5 percent minimum content to specification on appearance, cyclohexane, toluene, benzene, colour and water, in 155 kg drums or ISO tanks. It is highly flammable and an aspiration hazard; handle to the safety data sheet.