The key difference between tetrahydrofuran and dioxane is that tetrahydrofuran molecules contain one oxygen atom as a member of the ring structure whereas dioxane molecule contains two oxygen atoms as members of the ring structure. Both tetrahydrofuran and dioxane are organic solvents that are important in analyzing samples. These organic structures are cyclic structures that we can classify as heterocyclic compounds because these ring structures contain two types of atoms forming the ring: carbon atoms and oxygen atom(s).

What is Tetrahydrofuran?
Tetrahydrofuran is an organic solvent having the chemical formula (CH2)4O. It is a heterocyclic compound, and we can categorize it as an ether because the functional group of the tetrahydrofuran molecule is –C-O-C-. We can observe tetrahydrofuran as a colourless organic liquid which is miscible with water. This solvent has an ether-like odour. It has a low viscosity as well. This solvent is mainly used as a precursor for polymer synthesis processes. Tetrahydrofuran is a polar molecule which is helpful in mixing it with water. In addition to these, this polarity makes tetrahydrofuran a versatile solvent.
Tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran is an organic solvent that contains hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. It is composed of 4 carbon atoms, 8 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen atom, and is a heterocyclic ether. tetrahydrofuran mixes well with other polar compounds such as ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile, and water. It’s less dense than water and its vapors are heavier than air. Tetrahydrofuran is an important compound to organic chemists. It serves as a versatile solvent and is used in polymer science.

Why is Tetrahydrofuran a Good Solvent?
A solvent is a substance that dissolves other compounds and molecules. Tetrahydrofuran dissolves a wide variety of organic compounds. Tetrahydrofuran is a good solvent because of its ability to form hydrogen bonds and because of its polarity. Tetrahydrofuran forms charge-based attractions due to its polarity with other ions and polar molecules. The ions and polar molecules interact with partially negative and partially positive ends of the tetrahydrofuran leading to the formation of a 3-D sphere or hydration shell around the solute. This causes the solute to dissolve.

What is the Role of Tetrahydrofuran in the Mobile Phase?
Tetrahydrofuran is used often as a mobile phase solvent. The role of tetrahydrofuran in the mobile phase is its eluting strength. Eluting strength is how strongly the solvent adsorbs onto the adsorbent. Adsorbents are very polar. Eluting strength becomes greater with solvent polarity.

Tetrahydrofuran Hazards
There are a few things to keep in mind when using tetrahydrofuran. tetrahydrofuran is highly flammable in the vapor and liquid form. Vapors can be explosive when mixed with air. tetrahydrofuran is also corrosive to coatings, rubber, and plastics. When using tetrahydrofuran, be sure to wear face protection, eye protection, protective clothing, protective gloves since tetrahydrofuran can irritate the skin, eyes, respiratory system, and depress the central nervous system.
Be sure to keep tetrahydrofuran away from open flames, sparks, hot surfaces, and heat.