Tetrahydrofurane, Tetra Hydro Furane, Oxolane, Tetramethylene Oxide, Butylene Oxide, Epoxy Butane, THF, 109-99-9

Tetrahydrofurane, Tetra Hydro Furane, Oxolane, Tetramethylene Oxide, Butylene Oxide, Epoxy Butane, THF, 109-99-9

🌟 Tetrahydrofuran (THF)

A) Physical and Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: C₄H₈O

• Molecular Weight: 72.11 g/mol

• Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid

• Odor: Ether-like

• Boiling Point: 65–67 °C

• Melting Point: −108 °C

• Density: ~0.889 g/cm³ at 25 °C

• Solubility: Fully miscible with water and organic solvents

• Flash Point: −21 °C

• Vapor Pressure: ~143 mmHg at 20 °C

• CAS Number: 109-99-9

• Refractive Index: ~1.407

• Explosive Limits: 1.5–12.4% (v/v)

• Stabilizer: Often contains 200–400 ppm BHT to prevent peroxide formation

B) Applications

• Pharmaceuticals: Solvent for active pharmaceutical ingredients and peptide synthesis

• Polymer Industry: Used in PVC, polyurethane, and elastomer processing

• Battery Manufacturing: Solvent for lithium-ion battery electrolytes

• Coatings & Adhesives: Resin dissolution and viscosity control

• Laboratory Use: Chromatography, Grignard reactions, and organolithium chemistry

• Biofuel Research: Investigated as a combustion promoter

C) Production Method

• From 1,4-Butanediol: Acid-catalyzed dehydration

• From Furan: Catalytic hydrogenation

• Purification: Distillation under inert atmosphere to avoid peroxide formation

D) Reactions

• Peroxide Formation: THF can form explosive peroxides when exposed to air

• Ring Opening: Under acidic or basic conditions

• Solvent Role: Excellent medium for nucleophilic reactions and metal-organic synthesis

E) Alternatives

• 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) – bio-based, greener solvent

• Cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) – low peroxide risk

• Dimethylformamide (DMF) – similar polarity, higher boiling point

• Acetonitrile – for polar reactions and chromatography

F) Synonyms

• THF, Oxolane, Tetramethylene oxide, Butylene oxide, 1,4-Epoxybutane, Tetrahydrofurane

G) Common Names

• “THF solvent”

• “Polymer-grade ether”

• “Battery electrolyte base”

H) Usage Ratios

• Pharma synthesis: 5–50% of reaction volume

• Polymer processing: 10–30% in solvent blends

• Battery electrolyte: ~20–40% in solvent mixtures