Removal of peroxides from THF with Al2O3

It has to be highly activated alumina, preferably in the form of sintered beads, and there is a strong exotherm (THF also binds to activated alumina). I think this is best done within enclosed solved purification systems, using pre-dried THF keg packed under nitrogen.

You can improvise it in the lab, but I think distillation is better option.

Also, THF oxidizes to peroxides quickly, just one day stored under air and sunlght produces detectable amount. If you have old bottle of suspect THF, you can do quick test for the degree of oxidation - you can smell the THF hydroxide and the produced 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde, it is highly odorous - pour about mililiter quantity into a small beaker or bottle cap, swirl it around to evaporate. If it leaves a residues that smells sour-acrid (THF-2-hydroperoxide) or like freshly cut grass (4-hydroxybutyraldehyde), it is pretty bad.

THF peroxide is not really explosive, and will not damage pump but it is highly reactive - for example with primary amines it rapidly forms products of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde Mannich dimer products.

I think for your purposes it would be ideal to have your own THF distillation setup under argon, you don't care about moisture content, and distill your own fresh THF every morning

/r/chemistry Thread