ε-Caprolactone CAS 502-44-3

What is ε-Caprolactone CAS 502-44-3?

ε-Caprolactone CAS 502-44-3 is an epsilon-lactone and cyclic ester used primarily as a monomer in the manufacture of specialized polymers. It appears as a clear colorless liquid, yellowing on aging, and is commonly used in polymer science, adhesives, urethane coatings, elastomers, epoxy resin systems, synthetic fibers, and organic synthesis. It is also widely used in the preparation of polycaprolactone and is noted as a precursor to caprolactam.

Specifications

Features

• Important Polymer Monomer: ε-Caprolactone is widely used as a monomer in the manufacture of highly specialized polymers, making it a key raw material in polymer and materials research.
• Core Raw Material for Polycaprolactone: The reference page specifically states that ε-caprolactone is popularly used in the preparation of polycaprolactone (PCL), giving it strong relevance in biodegradable and specialty polymer development.
• Versatile Industrial Intermediate: It is used as an intermediate in adhesives, urethane coatings, elastomers, synthetic fibers, and organic synthesis, showing broad utility across multiple industrial formulation fields.
• Suitable for Ring-Opening Polymerization Research: The page notes that ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone leads to the formation of polycaprolactone, which makes it especially useful in polymerization studies and high-performance polymer research.

Applications

• Polymer and Materials Science: ε-Caprolactone is used as a monomer for the production of highly specialized polymers, especially polycaprolactone, in polymer science and functional materials research.
• Adhesives, Urethane Coatings, and Elastomers: The reference page specifically lists its use as an intermediate in adhesives, urethane coatings, and elastomers, indicating practical value in industrial materials and coating systems.
• Epoxy Resin and Synthetic Fiber Systems: It is used as a solvent and diluent for epoxy resins and is also applied in synthetic fiber-related applications.
• Biomedical Polymer Research: The page states that ε-caprolactone is used in the synthesis of polyglecaprone, which is used as a suture material in surgery, supporting its relevance in biomedical polymer and surgical material research.

Packaging

Mikem offers flexible packaging options, including 25 kg of fiber drums for liquid products and 15–25 kg PP/PE bags for powder products, all customizable to meet your specific needs.