What Is 1,4-Cyclohexanedione CAS 637-88-7? Uses, Properties, and Specifications

18, Aug. 2026

 

What Is 1,4-Cyclohexanedione CAS 637-88-7? Uses, Properties, and Specifications

1,4-Cyclohexanedione, identified by CAS No. 637-88-7, is a cyclic diketone used mainly as a chemical building block and pharmaceutical intermediate. Its molecular formula is C6H8O2, and its commonly reported molecular weight is 112.13 g/mol. The compound contains two ketone groups positioned at the 1,4-positions of a cyclohexane ring, giving it useful reactivity for synthesis, modification, and further functionalization. At Maison Chemical, we provide sourcing support for buyers who need identity confirmation, specification review, documentation, packaging, and supply coordination.

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Identity and Basic Properties

1,4-Cyclohexanedione is also known as cyclohexane-1,4-dione. Its structure combines a six-membered saturated ring with two carbonyl groups, which distinguishes it from cyclohexanone and other monoketone intermediates. This symmetrical diketone structure can be valuable when a synthesis requires two reactive carbonyl sites or a controlled route toward substituted cyclohexane derivatives.

Commercial material is commonly described as a white to pale-colored crystalline solid, although appearance may vary with purity, storage history, and manufacturing conditions. Reported melting-point values are often around 118–122 °C, but buyers should treat this range as a reference rather than a release specification unless it is confirmed by the supplier’s current technical data sheet. For procurement, the batch-specific certificate of analysis remains the appropriate document for confirming identity and quality.

Item Reference information
Chemical name 1,4-Cyclohexanedione
CAS number 637-88-7
Molecular formula C6H8O2
Molecular weight 112.13 g/mol
Physical form Typically a crystalline solid
Commonly reported melting range Approximately 118–122 °C; verify by batch documentation

Core Chemical Functions

The main value of 1,4-cyclohexanedione comes from its two ketone groups. These carbonyl groups can participate in reactions such as condensation, reduction, oxidation, and carbon–carbon bond-forming transformations, depending on the selected reagents and process conditions. The compound may therefore serve as a versatile starting material for laboratory research, process development, and the preparation of more advanced intermediates.

Its ring structure can also help introduce a defined cyclohexane framework into a target molecule. In pharmaceutical and fine-chemical synthesis, this type of structural unit may be useful during route design when chemists need to adjust molecular shape, substitution pattern, or downstream functional-group chemistry. The exact suitability depends on the target synthesis, reaction conditions, impurity profile, and required scale.

Common Application Scenarios

Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Intermediates

1,4-Cyclohexanedione can be evaluated as an intermediate for the synthesis of substituted cyclic compounds and other pharmaceutical building blocks. Its two carbonyl groups provide opportunities for selective or sequential transformations during route development. However, it should not be described as an active pharmaceutical ingredient unless the buyer is purchasing a separately qualified finished drug substance.

Fine Chemicals and Custom Synthesis

Research organizations and custom synthesis manufacturers may use this diketone when developing analogues, screening compounds, or specialty intermediates. It can be considered in routes that require a cyclohexane-1,4-dione core or a precursor that can be chemically modified at the carbonyl positions. Before scale-up, the development team should confirm reaction selectivity, impurity behavior, isolation method, and compatibility with the proposed process.

Academic and Industrial Research

Because it has a relatively simple structure and two chemically useful functional groups, 1,4-cyclohexanedione may also appear in organic synthesis research. Research use does not automatically establish suitability for regulated manufacturing, so buyers should request the appropriate grade, documentation, and change-control expectations before using the material in a commercial process.

Types and Material Options

For this product, the most important “type” difference is usually the supply grade and documentation package rather than a fundamentally different chemical form. Buyers may encounter research, technical, or higher-purity material, depending on the intended application and supplier qualification system. These labels should be supported by a clear specification rather than treated as interchangeable marketing terms.

  • Research or laboratory grade: Suitable for route screening and experimental work when the project can tolerate a development-stage specification.
  • Technical or production-oriented grade: May be appropriate for process development or manufacturing, subject to agreed impurity limits and documentation.
  • Custom specification: A buyer and supplier may define assay, water, residual solvents, related substances, appearance, packaging, and analytical methods for a particular project.

At Maison Chemical, I recommend matching the specification to the application instead of automatically selecting the highest nominal purity. A development project may prioritize availability and practical documentation, while a regulated or sensitive process may require tighter impurity control, validated analytical methods, traceability, and formal change notification.

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Key Specifications Buyers Should Review

A useful specification should identify the material unambiguously and define how quality is measured. At a minimum, I suggest reviewing the chemical name, CAS number, molecular formula, molecular weight, appearance, assay method, and packaging configuration. If the material will enter a regulated or quality-sensitive process, the buyer should also discuss related substances, water content, residual solvents, elemental impurities, and stability expectations.

  • Identity: Confirm CAS No. 637-88-7 and the stated chemical structure.
  • Assay or purity: Confirm the analytical method, reporting basis, and acceptance limit.
  • Appearance: Define acceptable color, physical form, and visible foreign matter criteria.
  • Impurity profile: Request relevant process impurities and degradation-related information where applicable.
  • Packaging: Confirm container material, net weight, labeling, and protection from moisture or contamination.
  • Documentation: Review the COA, SDS, technical data sheet, batch traceability, and any requested quality agreements.

Numerical values should always be tied to a specific batch or agreed specification. For example, a reported melting range of 118–122 °C is useful for technical orientation, but it does not replace an identity test or a full release panel. Similarly, the molecular weight of 112.13 g/mol supports formulation and stoichiometric calculations, while it does not by itself demonstrate product purity.

Handling, Storage, and Safety Considerations

1,4-Cyclohexanedione should be handled according to its current safety data sheet and the buyer’s chemical-management procedures. Personnel should use appropriate personal protective equipment, minimize dust generation, maintain suitable ventilation, and avoid direct contact with the material. The exact hazard classification, transport status, and emergency measures should be confirmed from the supplier’s SDS for the supplied grade and jurisdiction.

For storage, buyers should keep the product in a tightly closed, correctly labeled container under the conditions specified by the supplier. A cool, dry, well-ventilated storage area is commonly preferred for solid organic intermediates, but the actual temperature and light requirements should follow the product documentation. I also recommend checking the container condition and material appearance before use, especially after extended storage or international shipment.

How to Select a Reliable Supply Option

The right supplier is not selected by price alone. Buyers should compare the requested specification with the supplier’s actual manufacturing or sourcing route, analytical capability, packaging controls, lead-time assumptions, and export documentation. It is also important to clarify whether the quoted material is from one production batch, a blended lot, or an externally sourced batch, because this can affect traceability and consistency.

Practical Buyer Checklist

  1. Define the intended use, target quantity, required grade, and destination country.
  2. Request a current specification, SDS, and representative or batch-specific COA.
  3. Confirm assay method, impurity limits, packaging, shelf-life or retest policy, and storage conditions.
  4. Ask whether the supplier can support samples, pilot quantities, repeat orders, and production-scale requirements.
  5. Review delivery terms, documentation requirements, import restrictions, and any special labeling needs.

For an initial qualification, I recommend starting with a document review and sample evaluation before committing to a larger purchase. If the product will be used in a developed process, the technical team should assess reaction performance using the proposed commercial batch rather than relying only on a catalog description. This approach can reduce avoidable sourcing risk and help align procurement with quality requirements.

How Maison Chemical Supports B2B Buyers

Maison Chemical supports buyers evaluating 1,4-Cyclohexanedione CAS 637-88-7 for research, pharmaceutical-intermediate development, fine-chemical synthesis, and commercial sourcing. We can review the requested specification, intended application, quantity, packaging preference, destination, and documentation needs before preparing a supply proposal. Availability, grade, lead time, minimum order quantity, and final commercial terms should be confirmed for each inquiry rather than assumed from a general product listing.

Our role is to help connect technical requirements with a practical procurement plan. Depending on the project, this may include specification alignment, COA and SDS review, sample coordination, packaging discussion, export documentation, and repeat-supply planning. Buyers should send their target purity, required tests, estimated annual demand, and delivery destination so that we can respond with information relevant to the actual project.

Key Takeaways

  • 1,4-Cyclohexanedione CAS 637-88-7 is a cyclic diketone and chemical building block with two ketone groups.
  • Its formula is C6H8O2, and its commonly reported molecular weight is 112.13 g/mol.
  • It is mainly considered for pharmaceutical-intermediate development, fine-chemical synthesis, custom synthesis, and research.
  • Reported physical data, including an approximate 118–122 °C melting range, should be verified against current batch documentation.
  • Selection should consider purity, impurity profile, analytical methods, packaging, traceability, documentation, and supply continuity.

Conclusion

1,4-Cyclohexanedione CAS 637-88-7 is a useful diketone intermediate for synthetic chemistry because its two carbonyl groups can support multiple downstream transformations. The best purchase decision depends on the intended reaction route and quality requirements, not simply on the chemical name or nominal purity. Before ordering, I recommend confirming the specification, current COA, SDS, packaging, lead time, and application fit with the supplier.

To discuss your requirement with Maison Chemical, provide the desired quantity, grade or purity target, testing requirements, destination, and expected delivery schedule. We can then help evaluate the appropriate supply option and documentation package for your project.

The company is the world’s best 1,4-Cyclohexanedione CAS 637-88-7 supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.