Nanjing LAN-STAR Tetrahydrofuran project will put into operation.

Tetrahydrofuran is a class of heterocyclic organic compounds. It is one of the strongest polar ethers, it is used as a middle polarity solvent in chemical reaction and extraction. It is a colorless volatile liquid, similar to the ether, it soluble in water, alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene, most organic solvents.

Tetrahydrofuran(CAS NO: 109-99-9) use widely in chemical industry, we need amount of Tetrahydrofuran every day, In order to improve the yield of tetrahydrofuran our country have made a lot of effort. Here is a good news for the Tetrahydrofuran demander, Nanjing LAN-STAR Tetrahydrofuran project will put into operation.

Nanjing LAN-STAR chemical new material Co., Ltd., 44000 tons / year of tetrahydrofuran (THF) project recently get through the whole process, maleic anhydride and tetrahydrofuran two device smooth outputs of qualified products. At present, running stability, excellent product performance.

The project total investment of 878000000 yuan, with benzene, maleic anhydride, methanol as raw materials, using advanced technology and production equipment, including maleic anhydride by benzene fixed bed catalytic oxidation process, tetrahydrofuran production using maleic anhydride esterification hydrogenation process, in the production process to achieve the recycling of water resources and the utilization of steam condensate water, and materials recovery and recycling use of tetrahydrofuran recovery tower and methanol recovery unit. The company's products will be the future of tetrahydrofuran polyurethane derivative products of raw materials, become a part of Nanjing chemical industry park of the petrochemical industry chain.

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Giving a detail introduction to Tetrahydrofuran

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a synthesized organic compound that is not found in the natural environment (ACGIH, 2001). It is a colorless, volatile liquid with an ethereal or acetone-like smell and is miscible in water and most organic solvents.

The follow table summarizes the physical and chemical properties of Tetrahydrofuran. Tetrahydrofuran is highly flammable and upon thermal decomposition may form carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Under certain conditions, such as prolonged storage in contact with air, Tetrahydrofuran can decompose into explosive peroxides.

CAS Registry Number	109-99-9
Synonym(s)	THF, diethyleneoxide, tetramethyleneoxide, 1,4 -epoxy butane, furanidine, oxacyclopentane
Melting point, °C	-108.5
Boiling point, °C	65/66
Density, at 20°C relative to the density of H2O at 4°C	0.89
Flashpoint (closed cup)	1 to -21.5°C
Water solubility	Miscible
Log Kow	0.46
Odor threshold	2–7.4 ppm60–150 mg/m3
Molecular weight	72.10
Conversion factors	1 ppm = 2.95 mg/m3
Empirical formula	C4H8O

Tetrahydrofuran is used as a solvent for polyvinyl chlorides, vinylidene chloride polymers, and natural and synthetic resins (particularly vinyls), and in topcoating solutions, polymer coatings, cellophane, protective coatings, adhesives, magnetic strips, and printing inks. It is also used for Grignard and metal hydride reactions.

Tetrahydrofuran is used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis. For example, it is used in the preparation of chemicals, including adipic acid, butadiene, acrylic 2-2 acid, butyrolactone, succinic acid, 1,4-butanediol diacetate, motor fuels, vitamins, hormones, pharmaceuticals, synthetic perfumes, organometallic compounds, and insecticides. It is also used in the manufacture of polytetramethylene ether glycol, polyurethane elastomers, and elastic polymers.

Tetrahydrofuran can be used in the fabrication of materials for food packaging, transport, and storage. When Tetrahydrofuran is used in food processing, it can be an indirect food additive

Potential exposures to humans result from anthropogenic sources, primarily from occupational exposures related to THF’s use as a solvent for resins, adhesives, printers’ ink, and coatings. Exposure to Tetrahydrofuran is primarily through inhalation or dermal absorption in the workplace. Nonoccupational exposure is uncommon, but may occur via inhalation and oral routes from contamination of the environment (air and water).

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The applications of Tetrahydrofuran

Tetrahydrofuran distilled pure has many applications as a solvent, reaction medium or starting product for syntheses. Only a few of the many examples of its usefulness are presented below.

1.Coatings

 Artificial leather: PVC or polyurethane spread-coating systems contain THF alone or in blends with other solvents. Magnetic tapes: The abrasion resistance of video, computer or audio tapes can be improved by applying coatings derived from polyurethane or PVC in which the solvent phase is a blend of THF and toluene. Cellophane: The mechanical strength, impermeability to water vapor, heatsealability and printability of cellophane can be improved by applying coatings formulated from poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC), in which the solvent phase is a blend of THF and toluene.

2.Adhesives

Tetrahydrofuran is suitable for the production of PVC adhesives for rigid PVC.It is used as a swelling agent for bonding plasticized PVC film and for fabricating PVC pipe systems. In both cases, the evaporation rate can be regulated by blending the THF with another solvent, such as cyclohexanone.

3.Specialty Coating Systems

By virtue of its excellent solvent power, THF allows the preparation of highly concentrated solutions of various polymers. These solutions can be diluted to the appropriate final concentration by adding thinners. Although THF evaporates rapidly, films formed from its solutions have very minimal tendency toward blushing during drying.

4.Reaction Medium

Tetrahydrofuran is a reaction medium, used primarily by the pharmaceutical industry, e.g., in Grignard syntheses or lithium aluminum hydride reductions. In fact, it is the only medium in which many Grignard compounds can be obtained. By virtue of its good solvent power for alkali metals, THF is a useful reaction medium for the production of organometallic compounds. Anionic polymerization reactions can be carried out in THF as well.

5.Extractant

Some drugs, e.g., alkaloids, can be obtained in the pure form from their natural or synthetic precursors by extraction with THF. Also, impurities such as fat, wax or substances with a high molecular mass can be removed from compounds that are insoluble in THF.

6.Starting Material for Syntheses

Tetrahydrofuran is the starting material for a number of syntheses. For instance, ethers with a high molecular mass and chains of various lengths can be obtained by polymerization. The oxygen in the pentagonalring can be replaced by nitrogen or sulfur to yield other five-membered heterocycles such as tetrahydrothiophene or pyrrolidine. The ring can be cleaved with halocarbons.

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Methods for producing tetrahydrofuran

Tetrahydrofuran is a class of heterocyclic organic compounds. It is one of the strongest polar ethers, it is used as a middle polarity solvent in chemical reaction and extraction. It is a colorless volatile liquid, similar to the ether, it soluble in water, alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene, most organic solvents.

Tetrahydrofuran use widely in chemical industry, but do you know how to produce tetrahydrofuran? Now, I will show you 5 Methods for producing tetrahydrofuran.

1. Furfural method

At first, furan is from furfural decarbonylation, than plus hydrogen into furan, after than we can get tetrahydrofuran. This is one of the earliest methods for industrial production of tetrahydrofuran. Furfural are mainly made of corn cob and other agricultural and sideline products by hydrolysis. This method pollute the environment seriously, it is not conducive to large-scale production, so it has been eliminated gradually now.

2.Catalytic hydrogenation of maleic anhydride

Maleic anhydride and hydrogen pure into the interior of nickel catalyst from the bottom of the reactor, The ratio of tetrahydrofuran’s and gammabutyrolactone’s production can be controlled by adjusting the operating parameters. Reaction products and the raw material of hydrogen get into the bottom of the washing tower when they cool down to 50 ℃. The unreacted hydrogen and gaseous separate from the liquid product, the unreacted hydrogen and the gaseous product are recycled to the reactor after washing. Tetrahydrofuran product will be distilled by the liquid product. The process can be in 0 ~ (5 ∶ 1) within arbitrary adjustment of the ratio of γ - butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran, the conversion rate of maleic anhydride can be 100%, and the tetrahydrofuran selectivity can be 85% ~ 95%. The content of the product can reach 99.97%. The process has the characteristics of simple process, catalyst performance, less investment.

3.1,4- butanediol dehydration cyclization method

This method is that inject the 22% concentration of sulfuric acid solution into 1, 4-butanediol in h igh-speed, then getting the aqueous tetrahydrofuran. This process of tetrahydrofuran yield can reach more than 99%, sulfuric acid as important catalyst in the reaction. This technology is mature, the process is simple, low reaction temperature, high yield of tetrahydrofuran, but sulfuric acid corrosive equipment, pollution of the environment.

4.1,4 two chlorobutene method

The raw material is 1, 4- two chloride butene, first getting the butylene glycol through the hydrolysis, then getting the tetrahydrofuran from butylene glycol by catalytic hydrogenation. This method has the advantages of simple operation, mild condition, high yield, low catalyst consumption and continuous use.

5. Butadiene oxidation method

The raw material is butadiene, first getting furan through the oxidation of butadiene and then hydrogenation of the product, so that we can obtain tetrahydrofuran. Now ,this method has been industrialized in foreign countries.

In the article I have shown you 5 methods for producing tetrahydrofuran, I hope my words will give you a little help. Thank you！

Frankie is the freelance writer for e-commerce website in the chemistry. Guidechem.com is just a place for you to look for some chemicals. Our guidechem provide the most convenient conditions for the international buyers and let these leads benefit all the business people. Guidechem chemical B2B network provides information on china and global chemical market quotation and relative chemical Information. Guidechem Chemical Network providing the most complete information of the chemical industry.