Products Description
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic ether-like or acetone-like odor. It is miscible with water and most organic solvents. THF is highly flammable and may decompose at elevated temperatures, releasing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. During prolonged storage in contact with air, particularly without suitable stabilizers, it can form explosive peroxides, posing a significant safety risk.
THF is widely used as a solvent and chemical intermediate in the production of polymers, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial chemicals. Manufacturing operations are generally conducted in closed systems or with appropriate engineering controls to minimize worker exposure and environmental emissions. It is also used in applications such as pipe fitting, where exposure may increase in confined spaces with inadequate ventilation. Although THF occurs naturally in trace amounts in coffee aroma, floured chickpeas, and cooked chicken, these naturally occurring levels are not generally expected to present a significant health risk.
Chemical Properties
Melting point | -108°C |
Boiling point | 66 °C |
density | 0.887 g/mL at 20 °C |
vapor density | 2.5 (vs air) |
vapor pressure | <0.01 mm Hg ( 25 °C) |
refractive index | n |
Fp | >230 °F |
storage temp. | Store at +5°C to +30°C. |
solubility | water: soluble |
form | Liquid |
color | <10(APHA) |
Specific Gravity | 0.89 |
Odor | Ethereal, detectable at 2 to 50 ppm |
Relative polarity | 0.207 |
PH | 7-8 (200g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
PH Range | 7 |
explosive limit | 1.5-12.4%(V) |
Water Solubility | miscible |
FreezingPoint | -108℃ |
Thermal Conductivity | 0.145 W/(m·K) at 25 ℃ |
Sensitive | Air Sensitive & Hygroscopic |
λmax | λ: 245 nm Amax: ≤0.26 |
Merck | 14,9211 |
BRN | 102391 |
Henry's Law Constant | 1.54 (static headspace-GC, Welke et al., 1998) |
Exposure limits | TLV-TWA 200 ppm (590 mg/m3) (ACGIH, MSHA, and OSHA); STEL 250 ppm (ACGIH); IDLH 20,000 ppm (NIOSH). |
Dielectric constant | 11.6（-70℃） |
Stability: | Stable. Incompatible with halogens, strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents, strong bases, oxygen. May generate explosive peroxides in storage if in contact with air. Highly flammable. Store at room temperature under nitrogen. Hazardous polymerisation may occur. Light sensitive. May contain 2,6-di-tertbutyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) as a stabilizer. |
InChI | 1S/C4H8O/c1-2-4-5-3-1/h1-4H2 |
InChIKey | WYURNTSHIVDZCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
SMILES | C1CCOC1 |
LogP | 0.45 at 25℃ |
Surface tension | 27.31mN/m at 293.15K |
CAS DataBase Reference | 109-99-9(CAS DataBase Reference) |
IARC | 2B (Vol. 119) 2019 |
NIST Chemistry Reference | Furan, tetrahydro-(109-99-9) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Tetrahydrofuran (109-99-9) |
Absorption | ≤0.0044 at 315nm |
Safety Information
Hazard Codes | Xi,F,Xn |
Risk Statements | 36/37/38-36/37-19-11-40 |
Safety Statements | 26-36-33-29-16-46-37-13 |
OEB | A |
OEL | TWA: 200 ppm (590 mg/m3), STEL: 250 ppm (735 mg/m3) |
RIDADR | UN 2056 |
WGK Germany | 1 |
RTECS | MD0916000 |
F | 3-10-23 |
Autoignition Temperature | 610 °F |
TSCA | TSCA listed |
HazardClass | 3 |
PackingGroup | II |
HS Code | 29321100 |
Storage Class | 3 - Flammable liquids |
Hazard Classifications | Acute Tox. 4 Oral |
Hazardous Substances Data | 109-99-9(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 oral (rat) 2880 mg/kg |
IDLA | 2,000 ppm [10% LEL] |
Product Applications
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is primarily used in the production of polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG), which accounts for approximately 80% of its consumption. PTMEG serves as a key raw material for manufacturing elastomeric fibers, such as spandex, as well as polyurethane and polyester elastomers used in products including artificial leather and skateboard wheels. The remaining 20% is mainly utilized as a solvent in applications such as pipe cements, adhesives, printing inks, and magnetic tape production. THF is also widely employed as a reaction solvent in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
