tetrahüdrofuraani

Tetrahydrofuran, often abbreviated as THF, is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)4O. It is a colorless, volatile, liquid organic compound, and is classified as a heterocyclic compound. THF is a five-membered ring containing four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. It is a widely used solvent in both laboratory and industrial settings due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of polar and nonpolar compounds.

THF is miscible with water and many organic solvents, which contributes to its versatility. It is a polar aprotic solvent, meaning it can solvate cations well but not anions. This property makes it particularly useful in reactions involving organometallic reagents, such as Grignard reagents and organolithium compounds, as well as in polymerization reactions. Its relatively low boiling point (66 °C) makes it easy to remove by evaporation after a reaction or purification process.

Industrially, THF is produced by several methods, including the dehydration of 1,4-butanediol or the hydrogenation of furan. It finds applications in the production of polymers, such as polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG), which is used to make spandex fibers and polyurethane elastomers. THF is also used as a solvent for PVC cements, coatings, adhesives, and in pharmaceutical synthesis. However, it can form explosive peroxides upon exposure to air and light, requiring careful storage and handling.