Industrial Procedure

Nylon-6,6 is made by polymerizing hexanedioic acid and 1,6-diaminohexane. Since there is an acid and a base involved, they first form a salt. Then it converted into Nylon 6,6 by heating at 350 degrees. The monomers can be formed from Cyclohexane. Oxidation of the cyclohexane opens the ring of carbon atoms and produces a -COOH group at each end. That produces the hexanedioic acid. The acid then treated with ammonia and it produces ammonium salt. Then it is treated with hydrogen and nickel catalyst and heated at 350 degrees. This dehydrates the salt and reduces it to the 1,6-diaminohexane.