2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (CAS 96-47-9)

2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) is a heterocyclic ether with the chemical formula C5H10O. Structurally, it is a derivative of tetrahydrofuran (THF), with a methyl group added to the second carbon of the five-membered ring. This modification significantly enhances its chemical stability and alters its solvent properties. As a solvent, 2-MeTHF is highly prized in both academic and industrial settings for its excellent solvating capabilities, particularly for organometallic compounds, which are often sensitive to the presence of water or other more reactive solvents. Its low miscibility with water and high stability under acidic or basic conditions make it particularly useful in Grignard reactions, lithium reagent applications, and other highly reactive chemical environments. In research, 2-MeTHF has been employed extensively in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, where it acts as a greener alternative to traditional ethers like diethyl ether or THF itself. Its lower toxicity and more favorable environmental profile, coupled with a high boiling point and excellent performance in low-temperature reactions, also make it a solvent of choice for new materials synthesis, such as polymers and complex organic molecules. Moreover, its use in electrochemical applications, particularly in the preparation of lithium batteries, has been explored due to its ability to dissolve electrolytes and its good electrochemical stability.