Cycloheptanone is produced
by cyclization and decarboxylation of suberic
acid (1,8-octanedioic acid) or suberic acid esters
in the gas phase at 400 – 450℃ over alumina
doped with zinc oxide or cerium oxide.
Shake suberone with aqueous KMnO4 to remove material absorbing around 230-240nm, then dry it with Linde type 13X molecular sieves and fractionally distil it through a glass helix packed column. [Blicke et al. J Am Chem Soc 74 2924 1952, Dauben et al. Org Synth Coll Vol IV 221, 229 1963, Beilstein 7 H 13, 7 I 9, 7 II 14, 7 III 46, 7 IV 39.]
