TETRAHYDROFURAN
MSDS Number: T1222 --- Effective Date: 03/05/97
1. Product Identification
Synonyms: Diethylene oxide, oxacyclopentane; THF; tetrahydrofuran
and stabilizer; 1,4-Epoxybutane; Butylene Oxide;
Cyclotetramethylene Oxide; Furan, tetrahydro
CAS No.: 109-99-9
Molecular Weight: 72.11
Chemical Formula: CH2CH2CH2CH2O
Product Codes: J.T. Baker:
9439, 9440, 9441, 9442, 9446, 9450, V530
Mallinckrodt:
2858, 8497, 8498, 8499, V558
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
--------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ---------
Tetrahydrofuran 109-99-9 90 - 100% Yes
3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
DANGER! EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. VAPOR MAY CAUSE FLASH
FIRE. MAY FORM EXPLOSIVE PEROXIDES. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES
IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. AFFECTS CENTRAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM.
J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 2 - Moderate
Flammability Rating: 3 - Severe (Flammable)
Reactivity Rating: 2 - Moderate
Contact Rating: 1 - Slight
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS B
EXTINGUISHER
Storage Color Code: Red (Flammable)
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Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing,
shortness of breath. THF is an anesthetic agent in high concentrations.
Overexposure may cause dizziness, headache, nausea and possible fluid in
the lungs. May cause liver, kidney or lung injury.
Ingestion:
Causes irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause sore throat and abdominal pain.
May cause liver or kidney injury.
Skin Contact:
Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain.
Eye Contact:
Causes irritation, redness, and pain. Contact may cause permanent eye
damage.
Chronic Exposure:
Repeated or high exposures may cause kidney or liver damage; may affect the
lungs. Repeated skin exposure can cause dryness, cracking of skin and
rash.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired liver
or kidney function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.
4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.
Ingestion:
Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove
contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention. Wash clothing
before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention
immediately.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Fire:
Flash point: -14C (7F) CC
Autoignition temperature: 321C (610F)
Flammable limits in air % by volume:
lel: 2.0; uel: 11.8
Extremely Flammable Liquid and Vapor! Vapor may cause flash fire.
Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame.
Explosion:
Above flash point, vapor-air mixtures are explosive within flammable limits
noted above. May form explosive organic peroxides when exposed to air or
light or with age. Vapors can flow along surfaces to distant ignition
source and flash back. Sealed containers may rupture when heated.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Dry chemical, foam or carbon dioxide. Water spray may be used to keep fire
exposed containers cool.
Special Information:
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved
self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the
pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Water spray may be used to
keep fire exposed containers cool. Water may be used to flush spills away
from exposures and to dilute spills to non-flammable mixtures. Vapors can
flow along surfaces to distant ignition source and flash back.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Ventilate area of leak or spill. Remove all sources of ignition. Wear
appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8.
Isolate hazard area. Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel from
entering. Contain and recover liquid when possible. Use non-sparking tools
and equipment. Collect liquid in an appropriate container or absorb with an
inert material (e. g., vermiculite, dry sand, earth), and place in a
chemical waste container. Do not use combustible materials, such as saw
dust. Do not flush to sewer! US Regulations (CERCLA) require reporting
spills and releases to soil, water and air in excess of reportable
quantities. The toll free number for the US Coast Guard National Response
Center is (800) 424-8802.
J. T. Baker SOLUSORB(tm) solvent adsorbent is recommended for spills of
this product.
7. Handling and Storage
Store in dark glass bottles or steel drums. Protect against physical
damage. Store in a cool, dry well-ventilated location, away from direct
sunlight and any area where the fire hazard may be acute. Store in tightly
closed containers (preferably under nitrogen atmosphere). Outside or
detached storage is preferred. Inside storage should be in a standard
flammable liquids storage room or cabinet. Separate from oxidizing
materials. Containers should be bonded and grounded for transfers to avoid
static sparks. Storage and use areas should be No Smoking areas. Use
non-sparking type tools and equipment. Do not use compressed air for
filling, discharging, or handling. Peroxides can be removed by treatment
with strong ferrous sulfate solution made slightly acidic with sodium
bisulfite. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since
they retain product residues (vapors, liquid); observe all warnings and
precautions listed for the product. Do Not attempt to clean empty
containers since residue is difficult to remove. Do not pressurize, cut,
weld, braze, solder, drill, grind or expose such containers to heat,
sparks, flame, static electricity or other sources of ignition: they may
explode and cause injury or death.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
200 ppm (TWA).
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
200 ppm (TWA), 250 ppm (STEL)
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee
exposures below the Airborne
Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because
it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing
dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH
document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices,
most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded, a half-face organic vapor respirator may
be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use
concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator
supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece organic vapor respirator
may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit or the maximum use
concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator
supplier, whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the
exposure levels are not known, use a full-face piece positive-pressure,
air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect
workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection:
Rubber or neoprene gloves and additional protection including impervious
boots, apron, or coveralls, as needed in areas of unusual exposure.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles and/or a full face shield where splashing is
possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work
area.
Other Control Measures:
Odor threshold: 2 - 50 ppm
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance:
Colorless, mobile liquid.
Odor:
Ether odor.
Solubility:
Miscible in water.
Specific Gravity:
0.88 @ 20C/4C
pH:
ca. 7
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
100
Boiling Point:
66C (151F)
Melting Point:
-108C (-162F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
2.5
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
129 @ 20C (68F)
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
8.0
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability:
Stable in closed containers with oxygen and light excluded. Distillation or
evaporation can concentrate peroxides (if present) to create an explosion
hazard.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide may form when heated to decomposition.
May also release toxic and irritating vapors.
Hazardous Polymerization:
May occur.
Incompatibilities:
Reacts violently with air on standing. LiAlH2, strong oxidizers, NaAlH2 and
potassium hydroxide. Will attack some forms of plastics, rubbers and
coatings.
Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, flame, ignition sources, incompatibles, light, and air.
11. Toxicological Information
Toxicological Data:
Oral rat LD50: 1650 mg/kg. Inhalation rat LC50: 21,000 ppm/3H. Investigated
as a tumorigen, mutagen, reproductive effector.
Reproductive Toxicity:
Animal data show developmental effects only at exposures levels producing
other toxic effects in the adult animal. Animal testing for reproductive
effects show no change in reproductive performance.
Carcinogenicity:
Under the National Toxcology Program (NTP), the U.S. Public Health Service
completed a 2-year (lifetime) inhalation study in rats and mice on
Tetrahydrfuran (THF) which suggests that THF is a carcinogen in laboratory
animals. There is no data linking THF exposure to cancer in humans. The
data shows carcinogenic activity in the liver and kidneys of laboratory
animals.
--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Tetrahydrofuran (109-99-9) No No None
12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate:
When released into the soil, this material is expected to leach into
groundwater. When released into the soil, this material is expected to
quickly evaporate. When released into water, this material may biodegrade
to a moderate extent. This material is not expected to significantly
bioaccumulate. When released into the air, this material may be removed
from the atmosphere to a moderate extent by wet deposition.
Environmental Toxicity:
96-hour LC50,fathead minnows: 2160 mg/L.
13. Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be handled as
hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved waste facility. Processing, use
or contamination of this product may change the waste management options.
State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal
regulations.
Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state
and local requirements.
14. Transport Information
Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: TETRAHYDROFURAN
Hazard Class: 3
UN/NA: UN2056
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 400LB
International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: TETRAHYDROFURAN
Hazard Class: 3.2
UN/NA: UN2056
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 400LB
15. Regulatory Information
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Tetrahydrofuran (109-99-9) Yes Yes Yes Yes
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Tetrahydrofuran (109-99-9) Yes Yes No Yes
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Tetrahydrofuran (109-99-9) No No No No
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Tetrahydrofuran (109-99-9) 1000 U213 Yes
Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): Yes CDTA: Yes
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: No Fire: Yes Pressure: No
Reactivity: Yes (Pure / Liquid)
Australian Hazchem Code: 2SE
Poison Schedule: No information found.
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of
the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains
all of the information required by the CPR.
16. Other Information
NFPA Ratings:
Health: 2 Flammability: 3 Reactivity: 1
Label Hazard Warning:
DANGER! EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. VAPOR MAY CAUSE FLASH FIRE.
MAY FORM EXPLOSIVE PEROXIDES. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES
IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. AFFECTS CENTRAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM.
Label Precautions:
Keep away from heat, sparks and flame.
Keep container closed.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Avoid breathing vapor or mist.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Label First Aid:
If swallowed, induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If inhaled, remove to
fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is
difficult, give oxygen. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or skin
with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing
and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. In all cases, get medical attention.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
MSDS Section(s) changed since last revision of document include: 11, 12.
New 16 section MSDS format, all sections have been revised.
Disclaimer:
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Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good
faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This
document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary handling
of the material by a properly trained person using this product. Individuals
receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in
determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER,
INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE
PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC.
WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS
INFORMATION.
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Prepared by: Strategic Services Division
Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)