Furan
Furan
Furan (pronounced /ˈfjʊəræn/ or /ˈfjʊrən/) is a heterocyclic organic compound, consisting of a five-membered aromatic ring with four carbon atoms and one oxygen. The class of compounds containing such rings are also referred to as furans.
Etymology
The term "furan" comes from the Latin fur, meaning bran, and -an, a common suffix for hydrocarbons.
Chemical Structure
Furan is a colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid. It is one of the simplest heterocyclic aromatic organic compounds. It is characterized by a five-membered ring structure, with four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. The molecule is planar because of the conjugated system of pi electrons in the ring.
Related Terms
- Furanose: A type of monosaccharide that has a chemical structure resembling that of furan.
- Furanocoumarin: A type of organic compound that is based on the structure of furan and coumarin.
- Furan resin: A type of synthetic polymer derived from furan.
- Tetrahydrofuran: A colorless, water-miscible organic liquid with low viscosity at standard temperature and pressure. This is one of the most polar ethers.
Health Effects
Furan is toxic and may be carcinogenic in humans. It is also a skin irritant, and can cause serious eye damage. It is not found naturally in the human body, but can be produced in certain foods during cooking or preservation processes.
Industrial Uses
Furan is used as a starting point in the manufacture of other industrial chemicals, including furan resins, furanic alcohol, and furanic acid. It is also used in the production of some pharmaceuticals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Furan
- Wikipedia's article - Furan
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