What is "polytetrahydrofuran"

n. (context organic chemistry English) A polymer derived from the ring-opening of tetrahydrofuran

Polytetrahydrofuran, also called poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol or poly(tetramethylene oxide), is a chemical compound with formula OH or HO-(-(CH)O-)-H. It can be viewed as a polymer of tetrahydrofuran, or as the polyether derived from 1,4-butanediol.

The product is commercially available as polymers of low average molecular weights, between 250 and 3000 daltons. In this form it is a white waxy solid that melts between 20 and 30 °C. The commercial product can be processed further into polymers with molecular weights of 40,000 and higher.

The product is sold under various trade names including Terathane from Invista and PolyTHF from BASF. The BASF plant in Ludwigshafen at one point was producing 250,000 metric tons per year.