4296. Furan

Nomenclature

CAS number: 110-00-9
Furfuran; oxole; tetrole; divinylene oxide.
C4H4O; mol wt 68.07.
C 70.58%, H 5.92%, O 23.50%.

Description and references

Occurs in oils obtained by the distillation of rosin contg pine wood. Prepd by decarboxylation of 2-furancarboxylic acid: Wilson, Org. Synth. coll. vol. I (2nd ed., 1941), p 274. Has been prepd directly from furfural over hot soda-lime or by dropping furfural on a fused mixt of sodium and potassium hydroxides: Hurd et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 54, 2532 (1932). Toxicity data: Henderson, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 57, 394 (1936). Thermodynamic properties: G. B. Guthrie, Jr. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74, 4662 (1952).

Chemical structure

Properties

Liquid. d419.4 0.9371. bp760 31.36°; bp758 32°. nD20 1.4216. Flash pt, closed cup: 32°F (35°C). Flammable. Absorption spectrum: Purvis, J. Chem. Soc. 97, 1648, 1655 (1910). Insol in water. Freely sol in alcohol and ether. Stable to alkalies; resinifies on evaporation or when in contact with mineral acids. LC (in air) in rats: 30400 ppm (Henderson).

Caution

The vapors are anesthetic. Can be absorbed through skin. See: Toxicity of Industrial Metals, E. Browning (Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, 2nd ed., 1969) p 698. This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-127.

Use

In organic syntheses.