Ketonic decarboxylation of adipic acid gives cyclopentanone.

The reaction is conducted at elevated temperatures in the presence of barium hydroxide.

[3] Cyclopentanone is common precursor to fragrances, especially those related to jasmine and jasmone.

[5] Cyclopentanone is also used to make cyclopentamine, the pesticide pencycuron, and pentethylcyclanone.

[5] It is also used as a precursor to cubane-1,4-dicarboxylate, which is used to synthesize other substituted cubanes, such as the high explosives heptanitrocubane and octanitrocubane.