Tetrahydrofurfuryl Acrylate (THFA, CAS No. 2399-48-6) is a functional monofunctional acrylate monomer containing a polymerizable acrylate group and a tetrahydrofuran ring.
The molecule combines the high reactivity of an acrylate double bond with the polarity and cyclic ether functionality of the tetrahydrofuran group. This structure makes THFA useful as a reactive diluent and functional monomer for UV-curable and radiation-curable polymer systems.
Commercial THFA is commonly supplied as a stabilized liquid. TCI reports >98.0% GC purity, while other commercial grades are available at approximately 97–98% purity with polymerization inhibitors.
THFA is used in UV-curable resins, adhesives, coatings, inks, 3D-printing resins, and specialty polymer synthesis. Arkema describes its commercial THFA monomer as a low-viscosity, polar, monofunctional monomer that promotes adhesion to numerous substrates.
Tetrahydrofurfuryl Acrylate contains a polymerizable acrylate double bond:
CH₂=CHCOOCH₂C₄H₇O
Under suitable free-radical initiation conditions, THFA undergoes addition polymerization:
n CH₂=CHCOOCH₂C₄H₇O → –CH₂–CH(COOCH₂C₄H₇O)–ₙ
The tetrahydrofuran ring remains incorporated into the side chain of the resulting polymer.
THFA can also be copolymerized with other acrylate, methacrylate, or vinyl monomers to adjust:
The low viscosity and polar nature of THFA are particularly useful when formulating reactive resin systems.
THFA is widely used as a reactive monomer and reactive diluent in UV-curable resin systems.
Applications include:
Its low viscosity can help reduce formulation viscosity while allowing the monomer to become part of the cured polymer network rather than acting solely as a conventional solvent.
THFA is used in the development of photopolymer resins for additive manufacturing.
Applications include:
J&K Scientific specifically identifies Tetrahydrofurfuryl Acrylate for developing photopolymer resins used in 3D printing, while industry sources identify THFA among monomers used in UV-curable systems.
THFA can be incorporated into UV-curable adhesive formulations.
Applications include:
Its low viscosity and ability to promote adhesion to various substrates make it useful in adhesive formulations. Arkema specifically describes THFA as promoting adhesion to numerous substrates.
THFA is an important functional monomer for acrylic and UV-curable coatings.
Applications include:
Its incorporation into polymer formulations can contribute to adhesion, water resistance, chemical resistance, and film-forming performance. Commercial application information identifies THFA for coatings requiring durability and environmental resistance.
THFA can be used in radiation-curable ink formulations.
Applications include:
Its low viscosity and good dilution capability make it useful in reactive ink formulations. Kowa Chemicals identifies THFA for UV inkjet inks, while other commercial sources list UV inks among its applications.
THFA is a useful monomer for preparing specialty polymers and copolymers.
Applications include:
Its cyclic ether group provides an additional structural feature compared with simple alkyl acrylates, allowing researchers to tune polymer polarity and substrate interactions.
THFA can be used in adhesive and sealant formulations as a reactive monomer.
Applications include:
Kowa Chemicals identifies THFA as a monomer used in adhesives and sealants, with functions including adhesion and low viscosity.
A bio-based version of THFA is commercially available, with TCI reporting approximately 62% bio-based carbon for its plant-derived-carbon product. This provides an option for research into more sustainable acrylate monomers and polymer formulations.
Applications include:
Arkema characterizes THFA as a low-viscosity, polar, monofunctional monomer with adhesion-promoting properties, while commercial technical data also highlights its dilution capability and suitability for UV-curable applications.
Tetrahydrofurfuryl Acrylate is a reactive acrylate monomer and is commonly supplied with a polymerization inhibitor such as MEHQ or hydroquinone.
TCI recommends storing its THFA product in a cool, dark location below 15°C. Its current safety information identifies hazards including skin irritation, serious eye damage, skin sensitization, and aquatic toxicity; other supplier SDS classifications can vary with formulation and grade.
| Research Area | Specific Industry / Application |
|---|---|
| UV-Curable Materials | UV-curable resins, radiation-curable polymers, photopolymer formulations |
| 3D Printing | SLA/DLP photopolymer resins, UV-curable additive-manufacturing materials |
| Coatings Industry | UV coatings, protective coatings, plastic coatings, metal coatings |
| Adhesives & Sealants | UV adhesives, industrial adhesives, specialty sealants |
| Printing & Ink Industry | UV inks, UV inkjet inks, digital printing materials |
| Polymer Industry | Acrylic copolymers, specialty polymers, functional resins |
| Electronics Materials | UV-curable functional coatings and adhesive materials |
| Surface Engineering | Adhesion promotion, surface modification, wettability control |
| Sustainable Materials | Bio-based acrylate monomers and renewable-content polymer research |
| Materials Science | Structure–property studies of functional acrylate polymers |
Note: Compared with HEMA (868-77-9), whose application in dental materials is well established, the currently available evidence for 2399-48-6 in dental materials is not strong enough to make dentistry a primary commercial application. For an SEO product page, it is more accurate to prioritize UV curing, coatings, adhesives, inks, 3D printing, and polymer materials.
A: Tetrahydrofurfuryl Acrylate (THFA) is a functional monofunctional acrylate monomer with CAS No. 2399-48-6, molecular formula C₈H₁₂O₃, and molecular weight 156.18 g/mol.
A: THFA is mainly used in UV-curable resins, coatings, adhesives, UV inks, 3D-printing photopolymer resins, and specialty polymer synthesis.
A: Yes. THFA is a monofunctional acrylate monomer that can undergo free-radical polymerization and copolymerization.
A: Yes. THFA is used as a reactive monomer/reactive diluent in UV-curable and radiation-curable formulations.
A: Yes. THFA is used in the development of photopolymer resins for 3D printing, including UV-curable additive-manufacturing materials.
A: Yes. THFA is used in UV-curable and functional coating formulations, where its properties can contribute to adhesion and other coating performance characteristics.
A: Yes. THFA is used in UV-curable adhesives and other adhesive formulations, particularly where low viscosity and adhesion to substrates are important.
A: Yes. Commercial THFA is commonly supplied with polymerization inhibitors such as MEHQ or hydroquinone to improve storage stability
