General Description
A clear colorless liquid with an ethereal odor. Flash point-22°F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Vapors heavier than air.
Reactivity Profile
2-METHYLFURAN(534-22-5) is incompatible with strong acids and strong bases. May react vigorously with oxidizing materials .
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
Hazard
Highly flammable, dangerous fire andexplosion risk. Irritant.
Health Hazard
Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Occurrence
Reported found in cooked beef, bread, butter, chicken, cocoa, coffee, currant, mint, tea and tomato.
Definition
ChEBI: 2-methylfuran is a member of the class of furans that is furan in which the hydrogen at position 2 is replaced by a methyl group. It has a role as a human urinary metabolite, a hepatotoxic agent, a fuel, a flavouring agent and a plant metabolite. It is a member of furans and a volatile organic compound.
Aroma threshold values
Medium strength odor, chocolate type; recommend smelling in a 1.00% solution or less
Purification Methods
Wash it with acidified saturated ferrous sulfate solution (to remove peroxides), separate, dry with CaSO4 or CaCl2, and fractionally distil it from KOH immediately before use. To reduce the possibility of spontaneous polymerisation, addition of about one-third of its volume of heavy mineral oil to 2-methylfuran prior to distillation has been recommended. [Beilstein 17 H 36, 17 I 18, 17 II 39, 17 III/IV 265.]
;