Cyclopentanone is the organic compound with the formula (CH2)4CO. This cyclic ketone is a colorless volatile liquid.

Preparation

intramolecular ketonization of adipic acid gives cyclopentanone. The reaction is conducted at elevated temperatures in the presence of barium hydroxide.

Uses

Cyclopentanone is common precursor to fragrances, especially those related to jasmine and jasmone. Examples include 2-pentyl- and 2-heptylcyclopentanone. It is a versatile synthetic intermediate, being a precursor to cyclopentobarbital. Cyclopentanone is also used to make cyclopentamine, the pesticide pencycuron, and pentethylcyclanone. It is also used as a precursor to cubane-1,4-dicarboxylate, which is used to synthesize other substituted cubanes, such as the high explosives heptanitrocubane and octanitrocubane.