UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
TETRAHYDROFURAN
Table of Contents
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/41_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Page
1. Chemical Product
2. Composition and Information on Ingredients
3. Hazards Identification
4. First Aid Measures
5. Fire and Explosion Data
6. Accidental Release Measures
7. Handling and Storage
8. Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
10. Stability and Reactivity Data
11. Toxicological Information
12. Ecological Information
13. Disposal Considerations
14. References
15. Appendices
16. Revision History
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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/41_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
TETRAHYDROFURAN
1.
Chemical Product
Product Name: Tetrahydrofuran
Chemical name: Tetrahydrofuran
Synonyms: Tetrahydrofuran stabilized
Cyclotetramethylene oxide; 1,4-Epoxybutane
with
BHT;
THF;
Butylene
Oxide;
Chemical Formula: C4H8O
2.
Composition and Information on Ingredients
Composition: Tetrahydrofuran 100%
Toxicological Data on Ingredients:
ORAL (LD50): Acute: 1650 mg/kg [Rat].
VAPOUR (LC50): Acute: 21000mg/m 3 hours [Rat].
3.
Hazards Identification
Potential Acute Health Effects: Hazardous in case of skin and eye contact (irritant).
Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), ingestion and inhalation.
Potential Chronic Health Effects: May be toxic to blood, kidneys, lungs, liver, upper
respiratory tract, skin, eyes and central nervous system (CNS) resulting in target organs
damage.
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not Applicable
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells, bacteria and/or yeast.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not Applicable
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not Applicable
4.
First Aid Measures
General measures:
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes prior to flushing skin with plenty of
water and cover irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention.
Page 2 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
TETRAHYDROFURAN
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/41_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Serious skin contact: Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with
an anti-bacterial cream. Seek immediate medical attention.
Eye contact: Remove any contact lenses and immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for
at least 15minutes. Get medical attention.
Ingestion: Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If large quantities of
this material are swallowed, seek medical attention immediately. Never induce vomiting
unless directed to do so by medical personnel.
Serious ingestion: Not Applicable
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration or if breathing is
difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.
Serious inhalation: Evacuate the victim to a safe area as soon as possible and loosen tight
clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen or
if not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
WARNING: It may be hazardous to the person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation when the inhaled material is toxic, infectious or corrosive. Seek medical
attention.
5.
Fire and Explosion Data
Flammability of the Product: Flammable
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 321°C (609.8°F)
Flash points:
CLOSED CUP: -14.5°C (5.9°F)
OPEN CUP: -20°C (-4°F)
Flammable limits:
LOWER: 2%
UPPER: 11.8%
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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
TETRAHYDROFURAN
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/41_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Products of Combustion: These products are carbon oxides (CO, CO2).
Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Highly flammable in presence of open
flames, sparks and heat.
Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Explosive in presence of open
flames, sparks and heat.
Fire fighting media and Instructions: For a small fire use dry chemical powder, for a large
fire use alcohol foam, water, spray or fog
Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: Vapour may travel considerable distance to source of
ignition and flash back, may also form explosive mixtures with air.
Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards: Reacts explosively with lithium aluminium
alloys, and Sodium Aluminium Hydride, Potassium hydroxide, Calcium Hydride.
It is normally stable, however, prolonged storage, and exposure to air and light may cause
formation of unstable explosive peroxides especially when anhydrous and unless it is
inhibited against peroxide formation. Explosive in the form of vapour when exposed to heat
or flame.
6.
Accidental Release Measures
NB: Wear appropriate protective equipment/clothing including gloves before removing
any spills.
Small spills: Dilute with water and mop up, or absorb with an inert dry material.
Large spill: Stop leak if without risk by absorbing with DRY earth, sand or other noncombustible material.
7.
Handling and Storage
Precautions: Keep away from heat, sources of ignition, and incompatibles such as oxidising
agents and ground all equipment containing material. Prolonged exposure to air and light
may form unstable explosive peroxides unless it is inhibited against peroxide formation. Do
not ingest or breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray and avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wear
suitable protective clothing and in case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory
Page 4 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
TETRAHYDROFURAN
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/41_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
equipment.
Storage: Keep in a tightly closed container which is stored in a cool, well-ventilated area,
avoiding all possible sources of ignition (spark or flame).
8.
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
Inhalation TWA: 100 STEL: 200 (ppm) [United Kingdom]
Inhalation TWA: 300 STEL: 599 (mg/m3) [United Kingdom]
Engineering Controls: Use only under a chemical fume hood. Provide exhaust ventilation
or other engineering controls to keep the airborne concentrations of vapours low. Ensure that
eyewash stations and safety showers are proximal to the work-station location.
Personal Protection: Wear splash goggles, lab coat, vapour respirator, approved/certified
respirator and gloves.
9.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical state and appearance: Colourless liquid
Odour: Ethereal, fruity, petroleum distillates
Taste: Not Applicable
Molecular Weight: 72.11g
pH (5% solution/water): Not Applicable
Boiling Point: 65°C (149°F) @ 760 mmHg
Melting Point: -108.3°C (-162.9°F)
Critical Temperature: 267°C (512.6°F)
Specific Gravity (Water = 1): 0.8892
Vapour Pressure (mmHg): 19.3 kPa (@ 20°C)
Vapour Density: 2.5 (Air = 1)
Volatility: 100% (v/v)
Odour Threshold: 20 ppm - 50 ppm
Water/Oil Distribution Coefficient: log(oil/water) = 0.5
Ionicity (in Water): Not Applicable
Dispersion Properties: Not Applicable
Solubility: Easily soluble in diethyl ether, acetone but partially soluble in cold water (30%).
Miscible with alcohols, ketones, esters, hydrocarbons, and ethers, especially in benzene,
ethanol, and chloroform.
Page 5 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
TETRAHYDROFURAN
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/41_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
10.
Stability and Reactivity Data
Stability: May form explosive peroxides and it is hygroscopic
Corrosivity: Non-corrosive in presence of glass but it will attack some forms of plastics,
rubber and coatings.
Instability temperature: Not Applicable
Conditions of Instability: Heat, ignition sources (sparks, flames), light, air, and
incompatible materials
Incompatibles: Reactive with strong oxidising agents, acids and alkalis.
Polymerization: Hazardous polymerization may occur with very strong acids
11.
Toxicological Information
Toxicity to animals:
Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 1650 mg/kg [Rat].
Inhalation (LC50): 53.9 mg/L 4 h [Rat]
180 mg/L 1 h [Rat]
Effects on humans:
Acute potential health effects: Causes skin, upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal and eye
irritation.
Chronic potential health effects: May cause damage to blood, kidneys, lungs, liver, upper
respiratory tract, skin, eyes, central nervous system (CNS).
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not Applicable
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not Applicable
Other information: Not Applicable
Page 6 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
TETRAHYDROFURAN
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/41_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
12.
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity:
(LC50): 2160 mg/l 96 hours [Fish (Fathead Minnow)].
13.
Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal: What is not recycled must be handled as hazardous waste and sent to an
approved incinerator or disposed in an approved waste facility. Dispose of in the hazardous
waste container marked WATER INSOLUBLE, NON HALOGENATED WASTE.
14.
References
- ScienceLab.com. Material Safety Data Sheet; Tetrahydrofuran. [online]. 2013 [cited 2014
Jan 9]. Available from: URL: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927294
- Fisher Scientific. Material Safety Data Sheet; Tetrahydrofuran. [online]. 2009 [cited 2014
Jan
9].
Available
from:
URL:
http://www.fishersci.com/ecomm/servlet/msdsproxy?productName=T427SK4&productD
escription=THF+OPTIMA+4L+SK&catNo=T427SK4&vendorId=VN00033897&storeId=10652
- Material Safety Data Sheet; Tetrahydrofuran. [online]. 2009 [cited 2014 Jan 9]. Available
from: URL: http://www.pennakem.com/msds/109-99-9_Tetrahydrofuran_PAK_msds.pdf
- BDH. Material Safety Data Sheet; Tetrahydrofuran. [online]. 2006 [cited 2014 Jan 9].
Available from: URL: http://feql.wsu.edu/msds/Tetrahydrofuran.pdf
Page 7 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
TETRAHYDROFURAN
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/41_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
15.
Appendices
Not applicable
16.
Revision History
Version Number
Amendments/ Reasons for change
01
Initial Release
Page 8 of 8