Tetrahydrofuran by Penn A Kem acts as an aprotic solvent for Grignard and other organometallic reactions. It is also used as a solvent for polymers in coating applications and is made from renewable chemicals. This is a flammable liquid with a mildly irritating odor. THF vapors, when mixed with air, are flammable when exposed to ignition sources. If spilled, THF has a CERCLA reportable quantity of 1000 pounds because of its low flash point. Tetrahydrofuran could carry an EPA waste code of D001 for ignitability.
2-Methyltetrahydrofuran by Penn A Kem acts as a versatile aprotic solvent that is an excellent replacement for tetrahydrofuran (THF) in Grignard and other organometallic reactions. Its limited miscibility with water facilitates easy product recovery. It can be easily dried with lower losses and lower recycle costs compared to THF. It gives cleaner phase separations compared to processes that use solvent exchange of THF with toluene. It is especially useful for producing high concentrations of homogeneous solutions of bromo Grignard reagents as well as gives high yields of benzyl and allyl Grignard reagents. It provides improved yields of addition product in systems where THF gives high yields of reduction product. It permits higher reaction temperature and lower losses from reactor condensers. It has been found to be a very effective solvent for biphasic reactions, especially for reactions with aqueous NaOH such as alkylation, amidation and nucleophilic substitution reactions. 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran gives clean phase separations in these reactions and high reactivity.
Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Acts as a low cost, biodegradable solvent. It is water-miscible liquid having very low odor. Has low vapor pressure/low evaporation rate, high solvency for active ingredients, low freezing point, low viscosity even at reduced temperatures, excellent penetration ability and low phytotoxicity. Used in printing inks and paint strippers.
