2Furaldehyde

2-Furaldehyde, commonly called furfural, is an organic compound with the formula C5H4O2. It is an aldehyde in which a formyl group is attached to the 2-position of a furan ring (IUPAC name furan-2-carbaldehyde). Furfural is a colorless to yellowish liquid with a distinctive almond-like odor. It is relatively polar, soluble in many organic solvents and partially miscible with water; it boils at about 161°C and can decompose at higher temperatures.

Production and sources: Furfural is primarily produced by acid-catalyzed dehydration of pentose sugars such as xylose and arabinose, which are abundant in hemicellulose of plant biomass. Historically it was obtained from agricultural byproducts like corn cobs, bagasse, and oat hulls. Modern processes use mineral or solid acid catalysts, followed by purification through distillation.

Reactions and derivatives: As a versatile platform chemical, furfural undergoes hydrogenation to yield furfuryl alcohol, a major intermediate for resins, solvents, and various chemicals. Oxidation gives furoic acid; further processing enables the production of other furan-based chemicals, including derivatives used in polymers and industrial resins. Furfural resins (furfuryl resins) are widely used as binders in foundry sand molding and in other industrial applications.

Safety and handling: Furfural is flammable and can be irritating to skin and eyes; inhalation or ingestion may be harmful. It should be handled in well-ventilated areas with appropriate protective equipment. It is toxic to aquatic life and is managed as a hazardous material in many regulatory frameworks.