Cyclododecanone (CDDK, CAS 830-13-7, C₁₂H₂₂O, MW 182.30 g/mol) is a 12-membered macrocyclic ketone produced industrially from butadiene via a four-step cascade: (1) Titanium- or nickel-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of three butadiene molecules to 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene (CDT). (2) Full hydrogenation of CDT to cyclododecane. (3) Liquid-phase air oxidation of cyclododecane at 140–160°C with boric acid or cobalt catalyst to yield a cyclododecanol/cyclododecanone mixture (macrocyclic KA oil analog). (4) Distillation to separate and purify cyclododecanone to ≥99% GC. This butadiene-to-cyclododecanone route leverages abundant C4 feedstock with near-quantitative atom economy in the key cyclotrimerization step. Cyclododecanone is the gateway intermediate to three major downstream product families: nylon-12 (via laurolactam), macrocyclic musks (via Baeyer-Villiger), and 1,12-dodecanedioic acid (via HNO₃ oxidation). UPOR Biotech supplies ≥99% GC (Fragrance/Intermediate Grade) and ≥98% GC (Technical Grade) with flexible MOQ starting at 25 kg and free sample for qualified buyers.

Cyclododecanone’s two highest-value applications are nylon-12 production and macrocyclic musk synthesis. Nylon-12/PA-12: Cyclododecanone → cyclododecane → KA oil → cyclododecanone oxime → Beckmann rearrangement → laurolactam → ring-opening polymerization → nylon-12. Nylon-12 is the premium engineering polyamide with the lowest water absorption (0.25% at 23°C/50% RH), lowest density (1.01 g/cm³), and highest dimensional stability among commercial nylons. Critical applications: automotive fuel and brake lines, EV battery cooling tubes, offshore flexible pipes, pneumatic tubing, medical catheters (ISO 10993 biocompatible), SLS 3D printing powders (PA2200 and equivalents), and sports equipment. Macrocyclic Musks: Cyclododecanone + peracetic acid/H₂O₂ → Baeyer-Villiger oxidation → cyclododecanolide (oxacyclohexadecan-2-one). This macrocyclic musk lactone delivers a clean, warm, powdery odor profile and is prized in fine fragrances, personal care (deodorants, lotions), and home fragrance (candles, diffusers). Unlike polycyclic musks (Galaxolide — 60%+ bioaccumulation, detected in human breast milk and aquatic sediments) and nitro musks (musk xylene — banned in EU cosmetics since 1999), macrocyclic musks offer superior biodegradability (>60% in 28-day OECD 301 tests) and lower bioaccumulation (log Kow ~4.5 vs. ~5.9 for Galaxolide). Global macrocyclic musk demand is growing at 5–7% CAGR as brands reformulate to meet EU REACH restrictions and IFRA sustainability standards.

The cyclododecanone-to-laurolactam conversion involves five sequential chemical transformations: (1) Reduction to cyclododecane — Wolff-Kishner reduction (hydrazine hydrate, KOH, diethylene glycol, 180–200°C) or Clemmensen reduction (zinc amalgam, HCl). Wolff-Kishner is preferred industrially for higher selectivity. (2) Air oxidation to KA oil — cyclododecane + air (boric acid catalyst, 140–160°C, liquid phase) → cyclododecanol/cyclododecanone mixture (~85:15 ratio). Boric acid forms borate esters that protect cyclododecanol from over-oxidation. (3) Dehydrogenation — cyclododecanol → cyclododecanone over copper chromite catalyst at 200–250°C, recovering the C=O functionality for oximation. (4) Oximation — cyclododecanone + hydroxylamine sulfate (NH₂OH·½H₂SO₄) + NaOH at 80–90°C → cyclododecanone oxime + Na₂SO₄. pH is maintained at 5–7 for optimal reaction rate vs. oxime hydrolysis balance. (5) Beckmann Rearrangement — cyclododecanone oxime + oleum (20–30% SO₃ in H₂SO₄) at 100–120°C → laurolactam (ω-dodecalactam). The oxime undergoes anti-migratory rearrangement where the C–C bond trans to the N–OH group migrates, inserting nitrogen into the ring. After neutralization with NH₄OH and extraction with toluene, laurolactam is purified by distillation (bp 190–195°C at 12 mmHg) and crystallization (mp 152–154°C). Polymerization: Laurolactam is polymerized by hydrolytic ring-opening polymerization at 270–300°C under nitrogen with 0.5–2% water as initiator and H₃PO₄ as catalyst, yielding nylon-12 with η_rel 2.0–2.5. The entire C12 value chain — from butadiene to nylon-12 — is one of industrial chemistry’s most important macrocyclic platforms, supporting >150,000 MT/year global demand.

UPOR Biotech supplies cyclododecanone in two purity grades tailored to downstream application requirements. Fragrance/Intermediate Grade (≥99.0% GC): Optimized for high-value applications demanding maximum purity — macrocyclic musk synthesis via Baeyer-Villiger oxidation (where trace impurities generate off-odor byproducts detectable at ppb levels in fragrance formulations), pharmaceutical intermediates, electronic-grade laurolactam for medical nylon-12 (ISO 10993), and premium SLS 3D printing nylon-12 powder. This grade features ≤0.2% water (Karl Fischer), ≤0.5% cyclododecanol, ≤0.1% acidity (as acetic acid), and heavy metals ≤10 ppm total. Appearance: white crystalline solid, melting point 58–61°C. Technical Grade (≥98.0% GC): Suitable for bulk industrial applications — 1,12-dodecanedioic acid (DDDA) production via nitric acid oxidation, general nylon-12 production (automotive, pneumatic tubing), cyclododecane and cyclododecanol derivative manufacturing, and specialty polymer building blocks. Appearance: white to off-white crystalline or waxy solid. Both grades are supplied in 25 kg HDPE drums with PE liners or 180 kg steel drums for bulk orders. Custom specifications — including tighter impurity thresholds (e.g., cyclododecanol ≤0.1% for electronic-grade laurolactam) or specific analytical methods — are available on request with flexible MOQ starting at 25 kg. Free sample available for qualified B2B buyers.

Every shipment of cyclododecanone includes comprehensive documentation: COA (GC purity ≥99.0% Fragrance/Intermediate Grade or ≥98.0% Technical Grade, cyclododecanol content ≤0.5%, water ≤0.2%, acidity ≤0.1% as acetic acid, heavy metals ≤10 ppm, appearance, melting point 58–61°C, identification by GC and IR), MSDS/SDS (GHS-compliant, 16-section format, UN number not regulated for transport), GC Chromatogram (signed and dated, with cyclododecanone reference standard overlay), IR Spectrum (conforms to reference, C=O stretch ~1705 cm⁻¹), ISO 9001:2015 Certificate, BSE/TSE-Free Statement, Non-GMO Statement, Allergen Statement, Residual Solvent Statement (ICH Q3C Class 3 compliant), and Complete Lot Traceability from butadiene feedstock to finished cyclododecanone product. Additional documentation available upon request: Stability Data (25°C/60%RH real-time 24-month and 40°C/75%RH accelerated 6-month), Heavy Metals Certificate of Analysis (individual elements Pb, As, Cd, Hg, Ni by ICP-MS), Custom COA with client-specified test parameters and limits, Process Flow Diagram (from cyclododecane oxidation through distillation), and Supply Chain Transparency Declaration. Free sample available for qualified B2B buyers. MOQ: 25 kg. All documents provided in English. For high-volume contract inquiries, on-site quality audits can be arranged under mutual NDA.