Substance profile
Tetrahydrothiophene
Tetrahydrothiophene is a water-white liquid with a stench odor.
01 · Identification
What Tetrahydrothiophene is
Tetrahydrothiophene is a water-white liquid with a stench odor. Its molecular formula is C4H8S and its molecular weight is 88.17 g/mol. It boils at 121 °C, melts at -96.2 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd 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 |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P312, P313, P330, P332, P337, P338, P352, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Tetrahydrothiophene 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 | 121.12 °C (250 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 120 °C (248 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC | |
| Melting point | -96.16 °C (-141.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -96.2 °C (-141.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.9987 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | INSOLUBLE IN WATER; SOL IN ALL PROPORTIONS IN ALCOHOL, ETHER, ACETONE, BENZENE, IN ORGANIC SOLVENTS | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water: none | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 18.0015 mmHg | at 25 °C | ICSC |
| 18.4 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Flash point | 12.78 °C (55 °F) | HSDB | |
| 12 °C (53.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 200 °C (392 °F) | ICSC | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.1 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 12.3 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Vapor density | 3.05 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Odor threshold | 1 part per billion | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Tetrahydrothiophene
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Fire and explosion
THREE VIOLENT EXPLOSIONS OCCURRED WHILE OXIDIZING TETRAHYDROTHIOPHENE TO TETRAMETHYLENE SULFOXIDE WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. FOR 10 YR SIMILAR OXIDATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT WITH NO EXPLOSIONS. THE THREE RUNS THAT EXPLODED WERE PROCEEDING NORMALLY UNTIL WHISPY WHITE SMOKE FORMED ABOVE THE LIQUID LAYER JUST PRIOR TO THE CONCUSSION.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Tetrahydrothiophene
Reactivity
Organosulfides, such as TETRAHYDROTHIOPHENE, are incompatible with acids, diazo and azo compounds, halocarbons, isocyanates, aldehydes, alkali metals, nitrides, hydrides, and other strong reducing agents. Reactions with these materials generate heat and in many cases hydrogen gas. Many of these compounds may liberate hydrogen sulfide upon decomposition or reaction with an acid. Slow addition of hydrogen peroxide to the thiophene resulted in explosions on three occasions, Chem. Eng. News, 1974, 52(39), 3.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Tetrahydrothiophene in the storage compatibility matrix →