2,3-Benzofuran is a colorless, sweet-smelling, oily liquid made by processing coal into coal
oil. It may also be formed during other uses of coal or oil. 2,3-Benzofuran is not used for
any commercial purposes, but the part of the coal oil that contains 2,3-benzofuran is made
into a plastic called coumarone-indene resin. This resin resists corrosion and is used to
make paints and varnishes. The resin also provides water resistance and is used in coatings on paper products and fabrics. It is used as an adhesive in food containers and some
asphalt fl oor tiles. The resin has been approved for use in food packages and as a coating
on citrus fruits. We do not know how often the resin is used or whether any 2,3-benzofuran in the coating or packaging gets into the food. 2,3-Benzofuran may enter the air, water,
and soil during its manufacture, use, or storage at hazardous waste sites. Breathing contaminated air or touching the chemical in the workplace is the source of human exposure.
As an intermediate in the polymerization
of coumarone-indene resins found in
various corrosion-resistant coatings such as
paints and varnishes; in water-resistant coatings
for paper products and fabrics; in adhesives for
use in food containers
Benzo[b]furan is used in the manufacture of coumarone-indene resin. It has been used to make floor tiles and other products. It is also used as a coating on grapefruit, lemons, lirnes, oranges, tangelos and tangerines and in the production of COITosion-resistant paints and varnishes, in water-resistant coatings on paper products and fabrics and as adhesives in food containers.
manufacture of coumarone-indene resins.
A bicyclic ring compound derived from coal tar
naphtha, the parent substance of coumarone-indene
resins.
Clear oily yellow liquid with an aromatic odor.
Highly flammable. May be sensitive to prolonged exposure to air. Very slightly water soluble.
Benzofuran slowly polymerizes on standing. Benzofuran may be sensitive to prolonged exposure to air. Benzofuran is polymerized by H2SO4.
Rats and mice that ingested high levels of 2,3-benzofuran over a short time had liver and
kidney damage. Those exposed over a long time to moderate levels had liver, kidney, lung,
and stomach damage. In one study, the ability of animals to reproduce was not affected.
We do not know if people will experience health effects similar to those seen in animals.
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: When heated to decomposition Benzofuran emits acrid and irritating smoke and fumes.
Benzofuran is combustible.
Benzofuran was not mutagenic in bacterial
assays but did cause chromosomal aberrations
and sister chromatid exchanges in cultured
rodent cells.
Benzofuran is steam distilled, dissolved in Et2O, washed with 5% aqueous NaOH, saturated NaCl, dried (Na2SO4), evaporated and redistilled. UV: max 245, 275, 282nm (log 4.08, 3.45, 3.48). The picrate has m 102-103o. [Burgstahler & Worden Org Synth Coll Vol V 251 1973, NMR: Black & Heffernan Aust J Chem 18 353 1965, Beilstein 17/2 V 3.]
