[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, boiling point of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol

Properties of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol

Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol, or THFA) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H10O2. It is a colorless and transparent liquid with a mild alcoholic smell, a boiling point of 179-180°C, a melting point of -65°C, and a density of about 1.05g/cm³. Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol has good water solubility and organic solvent solubility, and can be miscible with water, alcohols, ethers and other solvents. Because the molecule contains both alcohol hydroxyl and cyclic ether structure, it exhibits unique reactivity and solubility characteristics in chemical reactions.

Uses of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol

Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is widely used in industry. It is an important organic synthesis intermediate, commonly used in the preparation of various chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates. Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is widely used as a solvent, especially in the paint, ink and varnish industries, because of its excellent solubility properties, it can improve the fluidity and uniformity of the product. Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is also used in the pesticide industry as a cosolvent for certain pesticides and herbicides. It can also be used as a cleaning agent in electronic chemicals, especially in semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing processes, to remove residual organic matter.

Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol upstream and downstream raw materials

The production of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol typically employs furfural as a feedstock. Furfural is a compound extracted from agricultural by-products (such as corn cobs, wheat straw, etc.). Through hydrogenation reaction, furfural can be converted into tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Specifically, under the condition of high temperature and high pressure, furfural and hydrogen are hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst (such as a copper chromium catalyst or a nickel catalyst) to generate tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Therefore, the supply and price of furfural directly affects the production cost and market supply of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

On the downstream side, the main consumption areas of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol include coatings, inks, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and electronic chemicals. Market demand and technological advances in these industries will have an important impact on the demand for tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. For example, the increasingly stringent environmental regulations may promote the coatings and ink industry to increase the use of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, a low volatile organic solvent, thereby increasing its demand.

Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol storage method

Since tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is a chemical, its storage requires special attention to ensure safety and quality stability. Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, away from direct sunlight and high temperature environment. The storage container must be well sealed, usually using glass bottles, stainless steel containers or lined metal drums to prevent moisture absorption and oxidation of the product. Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is flammable, and the storage area should be away from fire and heat sources, and appropriate fire fighting equipment should be set. During storage, the tightness of the container and the quality of the product should be checked regularly to ensure that its physical and chemical properties have not changed.

market prospect analysis

With the global emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development, the market demand for tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is expected to continue to grow. In the coatings and inks industry, traditional solvents are facing increasingly stringent environmental regulations due to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. As a low VOC solvent, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol has significant market potential. The continuous development of the pharmaceutical and pesticide industries also provides a broad application prospect for tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, especially in the field of high value-added pharmaceutical intermediates and high-efficiency and low-toxicity pesticide cosolvents. The expansion of the electronic chemicals market, especially the development of semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing, and the increasing demand for high-purity cleaning agents will also promote the growth of the tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol market.

Technical progress and challenges

Although the application prospect of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol in various fields is broad, there are still some challenges in its production and use. In terms of production, improving the activity and selectivity of catalysts, reducing energy consumption and production costs are key technical issues. Currently, researchers are developing new catalytic systems and process optimization schemes to achieve more efficient and green production processes. In terms of use, how to further reduce the volatility and toxicity of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol in ensuring product performance is also the focus of the industry.

Conclusion

As an important organic compound, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol has a wide range of applications and good market prospects in industrial production. Its unique physical and chemical properties make it play an important role in the fields of solvents, pharmaceutical intermediates, pesticide cosolvents and electronic chemicals. To achieve its comprehensive market application and sustainable development, it also needs continuous innovation and breakthrough in production technology and application research. By improving the production process, optimizing the storage method and expanding the application field, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is expected to play a greater role in the future chemical industry.