Furan is a five-membered aromatic heterocyclic compound with one oxygen atom, used in pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals.
Chemical Formula of Furan:
- C₄H₄O
Physical Properties of Furan:
| Property | Value |
| Appearance | Colorless, volatile liquid |
| Odor | Ether-like |
| Boiling Point | 31.4 °C |
| Melting Point | -85.6 °C |
| Solubility | Soluble in ether, alcohol; partially in water |
| Density | ~0.936 g/cm³ |
Medicinal Uses:
- Furan derivatives are used in:
- Antifungal and antibacterial drugs
- Anticancer agents
- Examples: Nitrofurantoin (antibiotic), Furosemide (diuretic)
- Also found in some flavor and fragrance compounds (though simple furan itself is toxic).
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