Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Identifying Tetrahydrofuran (THF)

denatured - 17-9-2012 at 08:15

What are the qualitative tests for Tetrahydrofuran?

I just want to know whether the liquid in the bottle is THF or not.

kristofvagyok - 17-9-2012 at 10:16

Density? Boiling pont? Water tests? Smell? THF has a really characteristic odor, just love it.

Not usually used by home chemists, but NMR will tell it in no time(:

unionised - 17-9-2012 at 13:16

Mixes with water, but not salt water, and dissolves PVC is a fairly unusual group of characteristics.

What do you have available with which to test it?

denatured - 23-9-2012 at 08:24

It is obvious to me now that what I have is some sort of blend (I bought it from an asshole) :mad:

I wanted to use it to make some PVC glue but there was no activity (attack) on UPVC pipe shreds soaked in it.

@kristo: I don't think BP would be of any value in this situation because it is supposed to have impurities (far from lab grade).

If I have access to NMR, I'd also have access to quality chemicals. :)

Knowing smells of different chemicals is _key_ when buying from unreliable sources.

@unionised: I didn't know about water. what chems do I need (for future ref)?

kristofvagyok - 23-9-2012 at 09:14

Quote: Originally posted by denatured  
I wanted to use it to make some PVC glue but there was no activity (attack) on UPVC pipe shreds soaked in it.


THF won't dissolve PVC pipes. PVC "glue" is made by soaking PVC shavings or more preferably powder in THF for weeks. It will dissolve faster if it get's boiled up.