ε-Caprolactone or simply caprolactone is a lactone (a cyclic ester) possessing a seven-membered ring.

[3] Caprolactone is prepared industrially by Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone with peracetic acid.

The lactone ring is easily opened with nucleophiles including alcohols and water to give polylactones and eventually the 6-hydroxyadipic acid.

Several other caprolactones are known, including α-, β-, γ-, and δ-caprolactones.

(R)-γ-caprolactone is a component of floral scents and of the aromas of some fruits and vegetables,[5] and is also produced by the Khapra beetle as a pheromone.