2-MethylTetraHydroFuran (2-MTHF) A Green Alternative Solvent to Tetrahydrofuran

Abstract

The solvent 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) can provide a cost-effective, green alternative to tetrahydrofuran (THF) chemistry. 2-MeTHF’s advantages include its origin from 2-furaldehyde known as ‘furfural’ which is produce from renewable naturally occurring pentose in agricultural waste like corn-cobs or bagasse (sugar cane) in two-steps hydrogenation process via 2-methyfuran. It is a price stable resource having beneficial physical and chemical properties that can provide increased yields at reduced costs. The major benefits are easy product isolation (2- MeTHF is not water-miscible, whilst THF is); simple solvent recovery and drying saves around 70% energy compare to ‘pressure swing distillation’ used for THF recovery (2-MeTHF forms a water-rich azeotrope at atmospheric pressure); Clean phase separation with no emulsions and rag layers; and the higher boiling point of 2–MeTHF (800C) compared to THF (640C) will decrease the amount of solvent released into the air, reducing VOC emission. This review paper is intended to show that 2-MeTHF is a green, cost-effective alternative to THF, based on 12 principles of green chemistry.