Electrosynthesis of a nylon-6 precursor from cyclohexanone and nitrite under ambient conditions
Yongmeng Wu, Jinghui Zhao, Changhong Wang, Tieliang Li, Bo‐Hang Zhao, Ziyang Song, Cuibo Liu, Bin Zhang
Abstract
Abstract Cyclohexanone oxime, an important nylon-6 precursor, is conventionally synthesized through cyclohexanone-hydroxylamine (NH 2 OH) and cyclohexanone ammoxidation methodologies. These strategies require complicated procedures, high temperatures, noble metal catalysts, and toxic SO 2 or H 2 O 2 usage. Here, we report a one-step electrochemical strategy to synthesize cyclohexanone oxime from nitrite (NO 2 − ) and cyclohexanone under ambient conditions using a low-cost Cu-S catalyst, avoiding complex procedures, noble metal catalysts and H 2 SO 4 /H 2 O 2 usage. This strategy produces 92% yield and 99% selectivity of cyclohexanone oxime, comparable to the industrial route. The reaction undergoes a NO 2 − → NH 2 OH→oxime reaction pathway. This electrocatalytic strategy is suitable for the production of other oximes, highlighting the methodology universality. The amplified electrolysis experiment and techno-economic analysis confirm its practical potential. This study opens a mild, economical, and sustainable way for the alternative production of cyclohexanone oxime.