2-Piperidinone (2-piperidone or ô-valerolactam) is an organic compound with the formula . Valerolactam is formed by dehydrogenation of 5-amino-1-pentanol, catalyzed by rhodium and ruthenium complexes, The compound, a colorless solid, is classified as a lactam.
It is the monomer of nylon 5, a polyamide: