Methods for the Production of Cyclopentane:
Industrially, cyclopentane is mainly obtained from the separation and hydrogenation of petroleum fractions.
Separation and hydrogenation of petroleum cracking byproducts:
During the catalytic cracking or thermal cracking of petroleum, a certain amount of cyclopentadiene is produced.
Cyclopentadiene can form dicyclopentadiene through a dimerization reaction, which is then separated from the C5 fraction by fractional distillation.
Key step: Catalytic hydrogenation of the separated cyclopentadiene or dicyclopentadiene (after depolymerization).
The separation and hydrogenation of petroleum fractions is currently the most economical and main method for large-scale production of cyclopentane. Due to its excellent foaming properties and low global warming potential, cyclopentane is widely used as a blowing agent for rigid polyurethane foams.
