[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of cyclohexane dimethanol, is cyclohexane dimethanol toxic?

Properties of cyclohexanedimethanol

Cyclohexanedimethanol (Cyclohexanedimethanol, CHDM) is an important organic compound with the molecular formula of C8H16O2 and a molecular weight of 144.21g/mol. It appears as a colorless solid or viscous liquid at room temperature, with a faint alcoholic odor. Its melting point is between 42-46°C and its boiling point is about 275°C. CHDM has low solubility in water, but it can be miscible with many organic solvents, such as ethanol, ether and acetone. Chemically, CHDM has the typical characteristics of diols and can undergo esterification, etherification and other reactions.

Cyclohexanedimethanol use

Cyclohexanedimethanol is mainly used to produce high-performance polymers, especially polyesters and polyurethanes. Its use is particularly widespread in the polyester industry, such as the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycyclohexanedimethyl terephthalate (PCT). These polyester materials have excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance and transparency, and are widely used in the manufacture of fibers, films and bottles. CHDM is also used in the production of polyurethane resins, which have important applications in coatings, adhesives and elastomers. CHDM is also used in the manufacture of lubricants, plasticizers and emulsifiers in cosmetics.

Cyclohexanedimethanol upstream feedstock

The main upstream feedstocks for the production of cyclohexanedimethanol are cyclohexane and formaldehyde. Cyclohexane is an important petrochemical product, usually produced by petroleum cracking. Formaldehyde is produced from methanol through an oxidation reaction. In the process of producing CHDM, cyclohexane is first oxidized to form cyclohexanone, and then reacted with formaldehyde to form cyclohexanedimethanol. The production of CHDM may also involve some catalysts, such as acidic catalysts or basic catalysts, which help to increase the reaction rate and product purity.

Cyclohexanedimethanol downstream products

The main downstream products of cyclohexanedimethanol are various high-performance polymers, especially polyesters and polyurethanes. Polyester products include PET and PCT, which are widely used in fibers, plastic bottles and films. PET bottles are widely used in beverage packaging due to their excellent mechanical properties and transparency. PCT is used in the manufacture of electrical and electronic components due to its heat resistance and stability. Polyurethane resin is used in coatings, adhesives and elastomers, with excellent wear resistance and elasticity. CHDM is also used in the preparation of plasticizers, lubricants and emulsifiers in cosmetics, which play an important role in their respective fields of application.

Cyclohexanedimethanol production process

The production of cyclohexanedimethanol typically employs a two-step process. The first step is to oxidize cyclohexane to produce cyclohexanone. The oxidation reaction is usually carried out in the presence of air or oxygen, and is carried out under high temperature and high pressure conditions. The second step is the addition reaction of cyclohexanone and formaldehyde under the action of acidic or alkaline catalyst to produce CHDM. This process requires precise control of reaction conditions, such as temperature, pressure and catalyst concentration, to ensure a high yield and purity of the product.

Cyclohexanedimethanol storage method

Storage of cyclohexanedimethanol requires consideration of its physicochemical properties. Since CHDM is a solid or viscous liquid at room temperature, storage should be kept at a suitable temperature to prevent melting or crystallization. CHDM is easy to absorb moisture. Avoid contact with moisture in the air during storage. It is recommended to store in a dry and sealed container. Because CHDM has a certain degree of flammability, it should be avoided in high temperature or fire source. The storage environment should be well ventilated to prevent possible vapor accumulation. For large-scale storage, it is recommended to use explosion-proof equipment and containers to ensure safety during storage.

Cyclohexanedimethanol Market Analysis

The cyclohexanedimethanol market is significantly driven by downstream demand, especially from the polyester and polyurethane industries. As the global demand for high-performance materials increases, the market demand for CHDM is increasing. The Asia-Pacific region is an important market for CHDM, mainly due to strong demand for polyester fiber and plastic bottle production in countries such as China and India. The North American and European markets are more focused on high value-added specialty polymers and high-performance materials. In terms of market supply, the production capacity of CHDM is relatively concentrated, mainly controlled by a few large chemical enterprises, which have strong technical and scale advantages.

Cyclohexanedimethanol Environmental Protection and Safety

It is necessary to pay attention to environmental protection and safety issues during the production and use of cyclohexanedimethanol. The waste gas, waste liquid and waste residue generated in the production process need to be effectively treated to avoid environmental pollution. During use, attention should be paid to protective measures to avoid contact with skin and eyes and to prevent inhalation of steam or dust. Since CHDM has a certain degree of flammability, it should be kept away from fire sources and operated in a well-ventilated environment. For the disposal of waste, the relevant laws and regulations should be followed to ensure the safe disposal of waste.

The Future Development of Cyclohexanedimethanol

With the progress of chemical industry technology and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the production process of cyclohexanedimethanol will develop in a more efficient, clean and sustainable direction. In the future, the application of CHDM in new high-performance polymers will be further expanded, especially in high-tech fields such as electrical and electronic, aerospace and medical materials. With the development of renewable resources and green chemical industry, the use of biomass resources to produce CHDM will also become a research hotspot, providing a new path for the sustainable development of the chemical industry.

Conclusion

Cyclohexanedimethanol, as an important chemical raw material, has broad application prospects and market demand. Its production process and storage methods need to be precisely controlled to ensure the high quality and safety of the products. With the continuous expansion of downstream applications and technological advances, the market prospects for CHDM will be even broader. In the future, environmental protection and sustainable development will become an important direction for the development of the CHDM industry.