N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide: Description, Properties, and Applications

What Is N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide?

N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide belongs to the family of sulfenamide accelerators in rubber manufacturing. Its chemical formula stands as C13H16N2S2, with a molecular weight of roughly 264.41 g/mol. You picture it and see a solid—off-white flakes, a granular powder, and sometimes formed into small pearls for handing convenience. These forms offer all the evidence of how practical handling matters in busy industrial settings. The compound carries a distinct odor reminiscent of other benzothiazole derivatives, and workers often remember it once they’ve cracked open a fresh drum.

Chemical Structure and Key Properties

The structure features a benzothiazole group with a cyclohexyl ring on the nitrogen, giving specific physical and chemical properties well-suited to manufacturing. The crystalline form dominates at room temperature, showing a density in the range of 1.22 to 1.23 g/cm³, which means it weighs a little more than water with a much more solid presence. It melts between 96 and 105°C, and won’t dissolve in water, but you’ll find it soluble in solvents like acetone or benzene—something users in production learn the hard way if a spill goes unnoticed. Benzothiazole rings lend this substance stability against atmospheric moisture and moderate heat, but it does not fare well under strong acids or alkalis, so factory staff keep a close eye on storage conditions.

Material Formats and Specifications

You’ll find this chemical described in spec sheets by its appearance: off-white flakes or powder. Some manufacturers press it into tiny pearls for dust control or pour it as a loose solid, and the choice makes a big difference for bulk handlers trying to minimize mess. Material available in flake or powdered form tends to clump if the humidity gets high enough, a reality that packing operators always have in mind. Suppliers list purity levels—often upwards of 97% active ingredient for industrial use—and specify low levels of trace impurities such as ash and heavy metals, as those can affect the rate of rubber vulcanization. Packaging arrives in heavy-duty bags or fiber drums, and every container gets a “keep away from moisture, sun, and open flame” warning stenciled on the side.

HS Code, Trade Information, and Logistics

Globally, this chemical moves under the HS Code 293420 for customs and import/export. Customs agents keep a close watch on the documentation because certain countries regulate import and handling due to potential health and environmental risks. Shippers usually require clear hazard markings and thorough manifests. The powder or flakes don’t travel alone for long either—warehouses ship out drums as soon as orders clear, keeping exposure and idle storage low.

Safe Handling, Hazards, and Best Practices

You sense a slightly rubbery, sulfur aroma when handling raw N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide, and users come to respect its chemical power. Prolonged direct contact causes skin irritation or even dermatitis, and inhaling dust can bring on nausea or headaches. Workers use gloves, goggles, and, in tight mixing rooms, respirators. Material safety data sheets recommend storing away from any source of ignition—though it won’t catch fire easily, the decomposition releases nitrogen and sulfur oxides that nobody wants to inhale. Pouring from a drum? Use a fume hood or ensure plenty of airflow. Disposal routes require incineration or licensed chemical waste handling. Anyone mixing this compound recalls safety drills about chemical burns, so personal protective equipment stays non-negotiable.

Role as Raw Material in Rubber Production

This compound holds long-standing value among tire and industrial rubber producers for its sulfur-donating properties in vulcanization. You need flexible, resilient rubber—think vehicle tires—and consistent batch-to-batch results to keep quality steady. N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide steps up here, giving faster curing at high temperatures while avoiding premature vulcanization in storage. Factories rely on this characteristic for production runs, where downtime or spoiled batches mean thousands in losses. Engineers tweak additives in a blend, but this accelerator brings high tensile strength, good aging resistance, and better compression set than many alternatives. Modern users employ digital monitoring in mixing processes, tracking feed rates to limit waste and optimize throughput, but it’s traditional experience that catches the subtle shift in smell that precedes deterioration of the raw stock.

Environmental and Regulatory Dimensions

Countries with strict chemical controls, especially across Europe and North America, regulate import and storage of compounds like N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide under REACH and related legislation. Regulators demand detailed environmental impact assessments, looking for evidence of aquatic toxicity or persistence in soil and water. Disposal, as a result, must avoid open dumping. Firms use closed systems to reclaim airborne particulates and wastewater; environmental officers keep lab notebooks full tracking batch residue through the plant. In community settings, word travels quick if a chemical leak spreads the pungent odor outside the fence line, so operators keep emergency plans drilled and ready.

Alternatives, Improvements, and Future Outlook

Industry experts watch new research for safer or more sustainable rubber accelerators, but practical alternatives still struggle to match performance at scale. Manufacturers experiment with new blends but continue to return to N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide when results matter. Potential solutions include further automation in dispensing, tighter controls on storage conditions, and stricter exposure limits enforced on the plant floor. Environmental scientists suggest improved wastewater detoxification and more robust monitoring of site emissions, aiming to balance industrial benefits with public safety.

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