178810

Tetrahydrofuran

≥99.0%, contains 250 ppm BHT as inhibitor, ReagentPlus^®

• Synonym(s): THF, Butylene oxide, Oxolane, Tetramethylene oxide
• Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C₄H₈O
• CAS Number: 109-99-9
• Molecular Weight: 72.11
• Beilstein: 102391
• EC Number: 203-726-8
• MDL number: MFCD00005356
• UNSPSC Code: 12191501
• PubChem Substance ID: 329751576
• NACRES: NA.21

Properties

• product name: Tetrahydrofuran, ReagentPlus^®, ≥99.0%, contains 250 ppm BHT as inhibitor
• vapor density: 2.5 (vs air)
• Quality Level: 100
• vapor pressure: 114 mmHg ( 15 °C); 143 mmHg ( 20 °C)
• product line: ReagentPlus^®
• Assay: ≥99.0%
• form: liquid
• autoignition temp.: 610 °F
• contains: 250 ppm BHT as inhibitor
• expl. lim.: 1.8-11.8 %
• refractive index: n20/D 1.407 (lit.)
• pH: ~7
• bp: 65-67 °C (lit.)
• mp: −108 °C (lit.)
• density: 0.889 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
• SMILES string: C1CCOC1
• InChI: 1S/C4H8O/c1-2-4-5-3-1/h1-4H2
• InChI key: WYURNTSHIVDZCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Description

General description

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a saturated cyclic ether mainly used as an organic solvent. On long term storage it forms organic peroxides. This process can be suppressed by adding butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a stabilizer. BHT removes the free radicals required for the peroxide formation. THF constitutes the key fragment of various natural products (polyether antibiotics). THF can form a double hydrate with hydrogen sulfide. Crystal structure of this double hydrate has been investigated by three-dimensional single-crystal studies. Butane-1,4-diol is formed as an intermediate during the synthesis of THF. Hot THF is useful for the dissolution of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDV).

Application

Tetrahydrofuran may be used for the dissolution of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) and 1,3-diaminopentane, during the preparation of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL)-hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds and acrylate-terminated poly(5-amino-1-pentanol-co-1,4-butanediol diacrylate) (C32)- 1,3-diaminopentane (117) polymer, respectively.

Other Notes

For information on tetrahydrofuran miscibility, please visit the following link:
Tetrahydrofuran Miscibility/Immiscibility Table

Greener alternatives are available for many THF applications, 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (155810) and Cyclopentyl methyl ether (675989)

Read more about THF alternatives:
2-Methyltetrahydroun (2-MeTHF): A biomass-Derived solvent with Broad Applications in Organic Chemistry

The toxicological assessment of cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) as a green solvent

Legal Information

ReagentPlus is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Safety Information

• Pictograms: GHS02,GHS08,GHS07
• Signal Word: Danger
• Hazard Statements: H225,H302,H319,H335,H336,H351
• Precautionary Statements: P202 - P210 - P233 - P301 + P312 - P305 + P351 + P338 - P308 + P313
• Hazard Classifications: Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Carc. 2 - Eye Irrit. 2 - Flam. Liq. 2 - STOT SE 3
• Target Organs: Central nervous system, Respiratory system
• Supplementary Hazards: EUH019
• Storage Class Code: 3 - Flammable liquids
• WGK: WGK 1
• Flash Point(F): -6.2 °F - closed cup
• Flash Point(C): -21.2 °C - closed cup