Difference Between THF and Dioxane

Dioxane is used in a variety of applications as a versatile aprotic solvent, e. g. for inks, adhesives, and cellulose esters. It is substituted for tetrahydrofuran (THF) in some processes, because of its lower toxicity and higher boiling point (101 °C, versus 66 °C for THF).

1. What kind of solvent is THF?
2. Why is THF used as a solvent?
3. Why is dioxane bad?
4. What functional group is tetrahydrofuran?
5. Is THF Protic or aprotic?
6. What is the function of THF?
7. Is THF dangerous?
8. Why is THF used in Grignard?
9. Why is THF used in Hydroboration?
10. Is dioxane toxic?
11. Does boiling water remove dioxane?
12. How do I get rid of dioxane?

What kind of solvent is THF?

THF is a moderate polar aprotic solvent based on its cyclic structure that locks in its polarity. The oxygen atom in THF is available to accept hydrogen bonding making it high soluble on water. THF can dissolve a wide variety of organic compounds.

Why is THF used as a solvent?

It is an aprotic solvent with a dielectric constant of 7.6. It is a moderately polar solvent and can dissolve a wide range of nonpolar and polar chemical compounds. THF is water-miscible and can form solid clathrate hydrate structures with water at low temperatures. ... THF is often used in polymer science.

Why is dioxane bad?

1,4-Dioxane is a likely human carcinogen and has been found in groundwater at sites throughout the United States. The physical and chemical properties and behavior of 1,4-dioxane create challenges for its characterization and treatment. It is highly mobile and does not readily biodegrade in the environment.

What functional group is tetrahydrofuran?

It's characterized as a heterocyclic ether. Therefore, it has a ring structure with at least one of the atoms as something other than carbon (oxygen in this case), and an ether functional group.

Is THF Protic or aprotic?

Hydrophilic GO is poorly exfoliated in nonaqueous solvents, e.g., polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and tetrahydrofuran (THF).

What is the function of THF?

THF is widely used as a solvent for special resins such as photosensitive resins, because even at room temperature it can dissolve various resins, and it is miscible with water and most organic solvents. In, addition, it is used as a solvent for Grignard and Wittig reactions.

Is THF dangerous?

* Tetrahydrofuran can cause headache, nausea and dizziness. Very high exposure can cause unconsciousness and death. * Tetrahydrofuran may damage the liver and kidneys. * Tetrahydrofuran is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD.

Why is THF used in Grignard?

THF and Diethyl Ether are both used for Grignard reactions because the Grignard reagent readily forms in them, is soluble in them and do not react with the Grignard reagent. ... The interesting thing about THF as it is more polar and will stabilize metal cations better [ClMg(THF)2–4]+ much better than Diethyl Ether.

Why is THF used in Hydroboration?

In a solution in THF, borane exists as a loose Lewis acid-base complex. This allows boron to have an octet and makes the reagent more stable. The solution is commercially available in a 1 mol/L concentration in volumes from 25 to 800 mL. It is much more convenient to work with the solution than with a gas.

Is dioxane toxic?

Dioxane is classified by the National Toxicology Program as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen". It is also classified by the IARC as a Group 2B carcinogen: possibly carcinogenic to humans because it is a known carcinogen in other animals.

Does boiling water remove dioxane?

There is a variety of technologies that will treat drinking water but they must be applied to the specific chemical of concern. Under-the-sink systems using granulated carbon or reverse osmosis can remove some VOCs. ... [And] boiling water does not help eliminate PFOS/PFOA or 1,4 Dioxane.

How do I get rid of dioxane?

Removal of 1,4-Dioxane From the Water

Not a lot of research has been done on removal of 1,4-dioxane from water supplies, but advanced oxidation processes using hydrogen peroxide with ultraviolet light or ozone is used to treat 1,4-dioxane in wastewater.