Adipic Acid
The key diacid monomer behind Nylon 6,6 — paired with hexamethylenediamine to form one of the world's most widely used engineering polyamides, plus major roles in polyurethanes and plasticizers.
Chelora Chemicals supplies adipic acid to Nylon 6,6, polyurethane and specialty-chemical manufacturers worldwide, with full documentation and consistent purity on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 124-04-9
- IUPAC name
- Hexanedioic acid
- Molecular formula
- C₆H₁₀O₄
- Molecular weight
- 146.14 g/mol
- Melting point
- 152.1 °C
- Boiling point
- 337.5 °C*
- GHS Pictogram
- GHS07
- HS Code
- 2917 12
* At atmospheric pressure; also cited as ~265 °C at reduced pressure (100 mmHg). We confirm the exact transport classification for your specific shipment size and destination before booking.
What Adipic Acid is used for
Adipic acid is a white crystalline solid, a straight-chain six-carbon dicarboxylic acid (hexanedioic acid), sparingly soluble in cold water but more soluble in hot water and most organic solvents.
Its single largest use, accounting for roughly 60% of global output, is as one of the two monomers in Nylon 6,6 production, condensation-polymerised with hexamethylenediamine (HMDA). The remainder of adipic acid output goes into polyurethane foam and elastomer manufacture (as a polyester-polyol building block), plasticizer production for PVC and other polymers, and smaller volumes as a food acidulant (E355) and in specialty ester synthesis.
Downstream application
- Adipic Acid (this product) one of the two Nylon 6,6 monomers.
- Hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) the diamine partner monomer, condensation-polymerised with adipic acid.
- Nylon 6,6 (PA66) the engineering polyamide formed. See that page.
Handling character
Adipic acid carries a GHS Warning signal word, causing serious eye irritation. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder/granules |
| Assay | 99.8% min (polymer grade) |
| Melting point range | Within producer specification |
| Ash content | Within producer specification |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | White crystalline solid |
| Melting point | 152.1 °C |
| Boiling point | 337.5 °C (atmospheric); ~265 °C at 100 mmHg |
| Density | 1.360 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Sparingly soluble cold; more soluble hot |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 124-04-9 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this diacid to work
The backbone diacid of Nylon 6,6, with a wide secondary footprint in polyurethanes and plasticizers.
Nylon 6,6 production
Condensation-polymerised with hexamethylenediamine to form Nylon 6,6 fibre and resin.
- Polymer-grade specification
- Bulk & bag supply
- Technical desk review on request
Polyurethane foam & elastomers
A polyester-polyol building block for flexible foam and elastomer formulations.
- Consistent purity specification
- Documented batch traceability
Plasticizer intermediate
Used in the manufacture of adipate ester plasticizers for PVC and other polymers.
- Contract & spot supply
- Full analytical documentation available
Food acidulant (E355)
Food-grade adipic acid used as an acidulant and flavouring agent in food applications.
- Packs sized to customer volumes
- Retained sample held against the lot
Specialty ester synthesis
A diacid feedstock for specialty ester and lubricant synthesis.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
Nylon 6,6 and polyurethane plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Adipic Acid
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Particle size, melting range and purity are critical to polymerisation and polyurethane quality — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Polymer-grade purity confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to Nylon 6,6 and polyurethane quality.
- Classification and documentation managed end to end. Labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- Polymer and technical grade both sourced. Matched precisely to your Nylon 6,6, polyurethane or plasticizer process.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Bag, bulk bag or bulk container — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
25 kg multi-wall bags
Moisture-barrier bags for smaller-volume orders, on pallets for easy handling.
500-1,000 kg jumbo bags
FIBC jumbo bags sized for mid-volume polymerisation-plant orders.
Large-volume bulk shipment
Bulk container shipment for continuous-consumption Nylon 6,6 and polyurethane plants.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Causes serious eye irritation — standard precautions apply
Adipic acid is considered one of the less acutely hazardous diacids in this range. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H319Causes serious eye irritation.
Eye protection recommended. Avoid dust generation and direct eye contact during transfer; always read the SDS issued with your specific batch and store accordingly.
Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from strong oxidising agents.
Handling
Use standard PPE (gloves, eye protection, dust mask where applicable). Avoid generating dust during transfer; avoid prolonged skin and eye contact.
Transport
Adipic acid typically ships under GHS pictogram GHS07 without a dedicated UN dangerous-goods number for standard industrial shipments; bulk or environmentally sensitive shipments may carry additional classification depending on quantity and destination. We confirm and document the exact classification for your specific shipment.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Assay, melting range and ash content confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How Adipic Acid becomes Nylon 6,6
Adipic acid is a straight-chain six-carbon dicarboxylic acid. In Nylon 6,6 production, it reacts with hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) through condensation polymerisation: the carboxylic acid groups of adipic acid react with the amine groups of HMDA, releasing water and forming amide linkages that build the polyamide chain. This two-monomer condensation route is distinct from Nylon 6's single-monomer ring-opening polymerisation from caprolactam.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Dicarboxylic acid (diacid) |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Two carboxylic acid groups |
| Reactivity | Condensation-polymerises with diamines (Nylon 6,6); esterifies with diols (polyurethane polyols, plasticizers) |
| Related compounds | Hexamethylenediamine (co-monomer), Nylon 6,6 (polymer), Caprolactam (Nylon 6 route) |
Explore the wider product range
Adipic Acid, answered
What is Adipic Acid used for?
How is Adipic Acid related to Nylon 6,6?
Is Adipic Acid hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
- Looking for the finished polymer? See our Nylon 6,6 (PA66) page.
Get a quote on Adipic Acid today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.