ACS/ACS Reagent/Certified ACS
Anhydrous/Dry/Extra Dry
Biochemical
Histological
HPLC/UHPLC
Tetrahydrofuran
What Is Tetrahydrofuran?
Tetrahydrofuran, or THF, is a colorless liquid and a moderate polar aprotic solvent. It’s considered a heterocyclic compound that includes oxygen. This oxygen atom can accept hydrogen bonding, making the compound very water soluble.
THF can dissolve many organic compounds. It also has a low boiling point and will easily evaporate after chemical reactions.
When exposed to strong acids, THF can be polymerized into a form known as polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG), which is used to make elastic fabrics.
Synonyms: THf, oxolane
Physical and Chemical Properties
| Property | Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Molecular Weight
|
72.11 g/mol
|
|
|
Density
|
0.889 g/mL at 25ºC
|
|
|
Boiling Point
|
65 to 67ºC
|
|
|
Melting Point
|
-108ºC
|
|
|
Flash Point
|
-17.2ºC
|
|
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Viscosity
|
0.456 at 25ºC
|
|
|
Dielectric Constant
|
7.52 at 22ºC
|
|
|
Dipole Moment
|
1.750
|
|
|
UV Cutoff
|
220 nm
|
|
|
Refractive Index
|
1.407 at 20ºC
|
|
|
Vapor Pressure
|
143 mm Hg (20°C)
|
|
|
Vapor Density
|
2.5 (vs. air)
|
|
|
Water Solubility
|
> 100 mg/mL at 68°F
|
|
|
Heat of Combustion
|
-348.8 x 105 J/kg
|
|
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Heat of Vaporization
|
4.1 x 105 J/kg
|
|
|
Surface Tension
|
26.4 dyn/cm at 25°C
|
|
How Is Tetrahydrofuran Used?
Tetrahydrofuran is often used for small-scale laboratory experiments. It’s considered a chemical intermediate and industrial solvent. THF is a critical component of inks for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, coatings, and castings, as well as cellophane coatings.
Designations and Grades
| Property | Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
CAS Number
|
109-99-9
|
|
|
MDL Number
|
MFCD00005356
|
|
|
RIDAD/UN Number
|
UN 2056
|
|
|
Beilstein Registry
|
02391
|
|
|
EG/EC Number
|
2037268
|
|
|
NSC Number
|
57858
|
|
|
ICSC Number
|
0578
|
|
|
RTECS Number
|
LU5950000
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|
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Grades
Laboratory/Technical
NF/USP
Sequencing
Spectrophotometry