Tetrahydrofuran, which might also be referred to as THF, is a natural compound generated from hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in such products as acetogenins, lignans, and polyketide. Most frequently, these organic products can be found in plants, namely the Annonaceae family of plants, whole grains, seeds, and some fungi. As a polar compound, Tetrahydrofuran can be also used in combinations with ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile, and water.
Thanks to its properties, which will be discovered in the following abstract, Tetrahydrofuran is produced in industrial volumes, which accelerates its wide range of uses for various industrial processes. On average, chemical companies produce around 200,000 tonnes of Tetrahydrofuran, meaning it can be easily found in the market if one needs its properties for polymerization or application as an efficient solvent. Since Tetrahydrofuran is classified as a cyclic ether — an organic compound containing an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl and aryl groups — its production process is quite similar to the production of diethyl ether from ethanol.
Chemical properties and use in reactions
The formula of the chemical compound is C4H8O — four atoms of carbon, eight atoms of hydrogen, and one atom of oxygen. It features the following chemical properties:
- Molecular weight: 72.105 g/mol
- Boiling point: 66°C
- Melting point: -108°C
- Density: 0.886 g/cm³ (20°C)
- Density: 0.8876 g/cm3 at 20 °C, liquid
It’s also important to specify that Tetrahydrofuran is considered a non-toxic compound. As for its physical properties, it resembles water as it’s also a colorless liquid. However, it has lower density although it’s not soluble in water.
Mostly Tetrahydrofuran is known for its high solvency and frequent uses in reactions as a solvent for resins. The solvency properties of the chemical compound are so strong that photosensitive resins, for example, might be easily dissolved even in chemical reactions at room temperature. Unlike many other organic solvents, Tetrahydrofuran it’s miscible with water and might be effectively used as a solvent for Grignard and Wittig reactions.
Nonetheless, in reactions, THF is used not only as a solvent. In the polymerization reactions, it might be a precursor to polymers. In industries, Tetrahydrofuran is widely applied as an agent in cleaning products, varnishes, production of PVC and coating for cellophane, and as a reaction medium in the pharmaceutical industry.
Where to buy high-quality THF?
Buying a high-quality chemical online might be a challenging task if you are doing it for the first time. Thus, we suggest that you should consider the following points:
- Research the supplier: Look for an online supplier that is well-established and has a good reputation in the industry. Ensure that they have a good track record of delivering high-quality chemicals.
- Check for certifications: The supplier should be certified by relevant authorities such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS).
- Compare prices: Do not be tempted to buy from the first online supplier you come across. Instead, compare prices and make sure that the prices offered are competitive and reasonable.
- Check for shipping and handling: Ensure that the supplier has a safe and secure shipping method for delivering the chemicals to you.
The CAS Registry Number assigned to Tetrahydrofuran is 109-99-9. To buy THF online from the suggested supplier in the 99.8% concentration, you need to sign the end-user declaration to confirm that you are aware of all the hazards and will use the chemical for safe purposes responsibly. This is a mandatory step that must be undertaken if you buy THF CAS 109-99-9 from a legal supplier.
