Chemical Properties
Tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (TFA) is an important special acrylate, the cyclic ether group in its molecule is more active than the straight chain ether group, and the hydrogen on the α-position carbon of the ether bond also has a certain degree of activity, and this special structure gives its subsequent products special properties.
Uses
Tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate may be used as an acrylic matrix for silver nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposites . It can form copolymers with butadiene. Prior to transfer printing, cellulosic and proteinic fibers are grafted with THFA.
Uses
Tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFA) can be used to prepare bio-based photopolymers. A series of thermostable shape memory photopolymers were synthesised from a mixture of two bio-based monomers, THFA and tridecyl methacrylate, with the addition of a small amount of 1,3-benzodithiol. Ethyl phenylphosphonate (2,4,6 trimethylbenzoyl) was used as a photoinitiator. The biorenewable carbon content of these photopolymers ranged from (63.7-74.9) %. The increase in THFA content in the photocured resins increased the light curing rate, increased the stiffness, and improved the mechanical and thermal properties of the obtained polymers. The developed bio-based photopolymers could replace petroleum-derived thermostable shape memory polymer analogues in a wide range of applications
[1].
Hazard
A moderate skin irritant.
Synthesis
100 mL of homemade solid acid catalyst was loaded into the reaction tube of the distillation unit, and the top and bottom of the catalyst bed were filled with quartz sand as the heat preservation and support layer. Take acrylic acid and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol in the ratio of 1.2:1, dilute it with two times the mass of toluene, add 0.01% of hydroquinone as a polymerization inhibitor into the dilution solution, stir until the hydroquinone is completely dissolved, and put it aside. Set the temperature of preheater of the reaction distillation device at 85, set the temperature of the catalyst bed at 85 at the upper port and 110 at the lower port, set the system pressure at 80k Pa. The above raw material solution is continuously fed into the reactor at a certain flow rate, and then arrives at the top of the reactor after being preheated by the preheater, and then the esterification reaction is carried out naturally in the catalyst bed. After the crude product is concentrated, the residual solvent and excess acrylic acid are evaporated to obtain the finished product of tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, which is a transparent and colorless liquid.
Safety
Tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate is a contact irritant affecting the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes and may cause sensitization through skin contact in certain individuals. If swallowed, it causes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea and vomiting.
References
[1] JUSTINAS JARAS; Jolita O; Aukse Navaruckiene. Thermoresponsive Shape-Memory Biobased Photopolymers of Tetrahydrofurfuryl Acrylate and Tridecyl Methacrylate.[J]. Materials, 2023. DOI:10.3390/ma16062156.
