Physicochemical Properties

(±)-1-(2-Furyl)ethanol (molecular formula C₆H₈O₂, MW 112.13 g/mol) is a racemic mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers of 1-(furan-2-yl)ethanol. The compound features a furan heterocycle attached at position 1 of an ethanol backbone, giving it both aromatic character from the furan ring and the reactivity typical of secondary aliphatic alcohols.

The compound is generally a colourless to pale yellow liquid under standard conditions. It is miscible with common polar and non-polar organic solvents including ethanol, diethyl ether, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate, while its miscibility with water is limited due to the hydrophobic furan ring. Researchers should consult the certificate of analysis (CoA) supplied with each lot for confirmed purity, boiling point, refractive index and specific gravity values, as these can vary slightly between production batches.

Note: The CAS number and precise boiling point were not provided in the source material; these should be verified against the product CoA or a validated chemical database before use in protocols.

Safe Handling and Storage

As with all furan-containing organic liquids, (±)-1-(2-Furyl)ethanol should be handled with appropriate laboratory precautions. Always work in a well-ventilated fume hood to minimise inhalation of vapours. Wear chemically resistant gloves (nitrile recommended), safety glasses or goggles, and a laboratory coat during all handling operations.

Avoid contact with strong oxidising agents, strong acids and open flames. The furan ring can be susceptible to acid-catalysed ring-opening under harsh conditions, so keep the reagent away from concentrated mineral acids during storage.

For storage, keep the container tightly sealed in a cool (typically 2–8 °C or room temperature as specified on the product label), dry, and well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and ignition sources. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product for full hazard classification, first-aid measures, disposal guidance, and transport regulations before use. All local, national and institutional regulations for handling and disposal of organic solvents must be observed.

Review flag: Specific GHS hazard codes, flash point, and regulatory transport classification were not available in the source material; retrieve from the official Aladdin SDS for SKU x170274.

Laboratory Applications

(±)-1-(2-Furyl)ethanol finds application in several areas of synthetic and flavour chemistry research:

• Chiral building block: The racemic mixture is commonly used as a substrate or starting material in asymmetric synthesis studies, including enzymatic resolution, biocatalytic kinetic resolution with lipases, and chemoenzymatic routes to enantiopure furanyl alcohols. The individual enantiomers obtained through such resolution can serve as chiral auxiliaries or intermediates in natural product synthesis.
• Flavour and aroma chemistry: Furanyl alcohols and their esters are associated with characteristic aroma profiles in food science. (±)-1-(2-Furyl)ethanol and its derivatives are used as reference compounds or synthetic intermediates in flavour research.
• Synthetic intermediate: The secondary hydroxyl group can be oxidised to the corresponding ketone, esterified, or subjected to other standard transformations, making this compound a versatile intermediate in multi-step organic synthesis.
• Biotransformation studies: The compound is frequently employed as a model substrate to evaluate the stereoselectivity of oxidoreductases and hydrolases in biocatalysis research.

Review flag: Specific literature references for the above applications were not provided in the source material; citations should be added upon editorial review.

Purity, Quality and Ordering Information

Aladdin Scientific supplies (±)-1-(2-Furyl)ethanol under SKU x170274. Each shipment is accompanied by a certificate of analysis (CoA) documenting lot-specific purity and quality data. Researchers should verify that the purity grade is suitable for their intended application—higher purity grades are recommended for sensitive analytical methods or high-precision asymmetric synthesis.

For applications requiring enantiopure material, researchers should consider chiral resolution of the racemic compound using established protocols (enzymatic kinetic resolution, chiral HPLC preparative separation, or asymmetric synthesis). The racemic form supplied as x170274 is appropriate as a starting material for resolution studies or as a racemate reference standard.

For pricing, availability, bulk quantities, and current stock information, contact Aladdin Scientific directly or visit the product page. Custom purity grades or packaging may be available upon request.