cis-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride Property

Melting point:

98 °C

Boiling point:

234.6°C (rough estimate)

Density 

1.2143 (rough estimate)

vapor density 

5.2 (vs air)

vapor pressure 

<0.01 mm Hg ( 20 °C)

refractive index 

1.4447 (estimate)

Flash point:

156 °C

storage temp. 

under inert gas (nitrogen or Argon) at 2-8°C

solubility 

soluble in Toluene,Benzene

form 

powder to crystal

color 

White to Almost white

Water Solubility 

REACTS

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

BRN 

82341

Exposure limits

ACGIH: TWA 0.01 mg/m3
OSHA: TWA 0.25 ppm(1 mg/m3)
NIOSH: IDLH 10 mg/m3; TWA 0.25 ppm(1 mg/m3)

CAS DataBase Reference

935-79-5(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

cis-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride(935-79-5)

EPA Substance Registry System

1,3-Isobenzofurandione, 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-, (3aR,7aS)-rel- (935-79-5)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

Xn

Risk Statements 

41-42/43-52/53

Safety Statements 

22-24-26-37/39-61-52/53-42/43-41

RIDADR 

UN 2698 8/PG 3

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

GW5775000

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

8

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

29173990

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H317May cause an allergic skin reaction

H318Causes serious eye damage

H334May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled

H412Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

P261Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P273Avoid release to the environment.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

cis-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Description

Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride is an organic compound with the formula C6H8C2O3. The compound exists as two isomers, this article being focused on the more common cis isomer. It is a precursor to other compounds including the dicarboxylic acid tetrahydrophthalic acid as well the tetrahydrophthalimide, which is a precursor to the fungicide Captan. It is a white solid that is soluble in organic solvents.
Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, the cis isomer, is prepared by the Diels-Alder reaction of butadiene and maleic anhydride.

Chemical Properties

Tetrahydrophthalic Anhydride (THPA) is a white crystalline powder or FLAKES. It is slightly soluble in benzene and acetone and it is also sensitive to moisture.

Uses

Tetrahydrophthalic Anhydride is an anhydride hardener mainly used in the fields of coatings, epoxy resin curing agents, polyester resins, adhesives, plasticizers, pesticides, etc. It is also used as a chemical intermediate for light colored alkyds.
Tetrahydrophthalic Anhydride is an organic compound obtained from the reaction of Maleic Anhydride and Butadiene.

Uses

cis-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (THPA) can be used as:

• A curing agent for epoxides.
• A chemical modifier in the modification of polystyrene via Friedel-Crafts acylation for enhancing the thermal stability of the polymer.
• A reactant for the synthesis of cis-tetrahydroisoindole-1,3-dione derivatives and cyclic diimides.

Preparation

A flask containing 500 ml of dry benzene and 196 gm (2 moles) of maleic anhydride is heated with a pan of hot water while butadiene is introduced rapidly (0.6-0.8 liter/min) from a commercial cylinder. The solution is stirred rapidly and the heating is stopped after 3-5 min when the temperature reaches 50°C. In 15-25 min the reaction causes the temperature of the solution to reach 70-75°C. The absorption of the rapid stream of butadiene is nearly complete in 30-40 min. The addition of butadiene is continued at a slower rate for a total of 2\ hr. The solution is poured into a 1-liter beaker which is covered and kept at 0-5°C overnight. The product is collected on a large Buchner funnel and washed with 250 ml of b.p. 35-60°C petroleum ether. A second crop is obtained by diluting the filtrate with an additional 250 ml of petroleum ether. Both crops are dried to constant weight in an oven at 70-80°C to yield 281.5-294.5 gm (96- 97%, m.p. 99-102°C). Recrystallization from ligroin or ether raises the melting point to 103-104°C.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 64, p. 802, 1942 DOI: 10.1021/ja01256a018