Substance profile
2-furaldehyde
2-furaldehyde is colorless, oily liquid Turns yellow to brown on exposure to air and light and resinifies with a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling the odor of benzaldehyde.
01 · Identification
What 2-furaldehyde is
2-furaldehyde is colorless, oily liquid Turns yellow to brown on exposure to air and light and resinifies with a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling the odor of benzaldehyde. Its molecular formula is C5H4O2 and its molecular weight is 96.08 g/mol. It boils at 162 °C, melts at -38.1 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd degree.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P308, P310, P312, P313, P330, P332, P337, P338, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
2-furaldehyde properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 161.7 °C (323.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 161.67 °C (323 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 161.72 °C (323.1 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -38.1 °C (-36.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -36.67 °C (-34 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -36.5 °C (-33.7 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.16 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.1594 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.159 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Soluble in benzene, chloroform; very soluble in ethanol, acetone; miscible with ethyl ether | HSDB | |
| Soluble in alcohol, ether; 8.3% soluble in water at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 7.41X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 2 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 1 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.1251 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | 60 °C (140 °F) | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 316 °C (600.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 392.78 °C (739 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 315 °C (599 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.1 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 19.3 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 3.3 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.31 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | Detection in water: 3.00X10+3 ppb (gas chromatically pure) | HSDB | |
| 0.0240 mg/cu m (odor low) 20.0 mg/cu m (odor high) | HSDB | ||
| Recognition/human odor perception: 1.0 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 396.85 °C (746.3 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 2-furaldehyde
Storage conditions
Keep in air tight container and protect from light
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
...Can react with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
FURFURAL reacts with sodium hydrogen carbonate. It also can react with strong oxidizers. An exothermic resinification of almost explosive violence can occur upon contact with strong mineral acids or alkalis. It forms condensation products with many types of compounds, including phenol, amines and urea. (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-furaldehyde in the storage compatibility matrix →