Tiofeno

Tiofeno, more commonly known in English as thiophene, is a sulfur-containing heteroaromatic organic compound. Its chemical formula is C4H4S and its molecular weight is 84.14 g/mol. Thiophene consists of a five-membered ring with four carbon atoms and one sulfur atom, arranged in an aromatic system that contains six π electrons. The ring is planar and relatively stable, with the sulfur atom contributing to the aromaticity.

In terms of physical properties, thiophene is a colorless to pale yellow liquid at room temperature with a characteristic sulfurous odor. It is relatively immiscible with water and soluble in many organic solvents such as ether and benzene. The compound is flammable and can form hazardous vapors; exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It can undergo oxidation to sulfoxides and sulfones under appropriate conditions.

Thiophene does not occur freely in nature in any significant amount and is mainly produced industrially as a chemical building block. It is prepared through several synthetic routes, often involving cyclization and sulfur incorporation steps from smaller precursors. In the laboratory, thiophene serves as a versatile scaffold in heterocyclic chemistry.

Applications of thiophene and its derivatives are broad. It is a fundamental building block for many thiophene-containing compounds used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science. It is also a key monomer and precursor for conducting polymers, such as polythiophene and its derivatives, which are explored for applications in organic electronics, photovoltaics, and sensing.

Safety notes: handle with appropriate protective equipment, work in a well-ventilated area, and store away from oxidizers.