Tetrahydrofuran

C₄H₈O

IUPAC: Oxolane

CAS: 109-99-9

Overview

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a cyclic ether widely used as a laboratory and industrial solvent. It is the preferred solvent for Grignard and organolithium reactions and dissolves PVC, making it useful for PVC pipe cement. It can form explosive peroxides on prolonged air exposure.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 8 1.0080
Carbon C 4 12.0110
Oxygen O 1 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×8
11.2%
C
Carbon ×4
66.6%
O
Oxygen ×1
22.2%

Uses

  • • Grignard reaction solvent
  • • PVC pipe cement solvent
  • • Polymer chemistry
  • • Pharmaceutical production

Fun Facts

  • ✦ The purple color of PVC pipe primer/cement comes from dyes dissolved in THF-based solvent

Safety

  • ⚠ Forms explosive peroxides
  • ⚠ Highly flammable
  • ⚠ CNS depressant
  • ⚠ May cause liver damage

Structure

SMILES

C1CCOC1

Properties

Type
organic
State
liquid
Molar Mass
72.11 g/mol
Density
0.8890 g/cm³
Melting Point
-108.4 °C
Boiling Point
66.0 °C
Solubility
miscible

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
72.0575
XLogP
0.5
TPSA
9.2 Ų
H-Bond Donors
0
H-Bond Acceptors
1
Rotatable Bonds
0
Heavy Atoms
5
Complexity
22.0

Also Known As

THF

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tetrahydrofuran?
Tetrahydrofuran (C₄H₈O) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name Oxolane.
What is the molecular weight of Tetrahydrofuran?
Tetrahydrofuran has a molar mass of 72.107 g/mol.
What state is Tetrahydrofuran at room temperature?
Tetrahydrofuran is a liquid at room temperature.
Is Tetrahydrofuran organic or inorganic?
Tetrahydrofuran is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Tetrahydrofuran?
Tetrahydrofuran (C₄H₈O) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Oxygen (O).