Phenanthrene

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Phenanthrene
Identifiers
CAS number 85-01-8 YesY
PubChem 995
UNII 448J8E5BST YesY
KEGG C11422 YesY
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula C14H10
Molar mass 178.23 g mol−1
Appearance Colorless solid
Density 1.18 g/cm3[1]
Melting point

101 °C, 374 K, 214 °F ([1])

Boiling point

332 °C, 605 K, 630 °F ([1])

Solubility in water 1.6 mg/L[1]
Hazards
NFPA 704
NFPA 704.svg
1
1
0
Flash point 171 °C (340 °F)[1]
 YesY (verify) (what is: YesY/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Phenanthrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composed of three fused benzene rings. The name phenanthrene is a composite of phenyl and anthracene. In its pure form, it is found in cigarette smoke and is a known irritant, photosensitizing skin to light.[citation needed] Phenanthrene appears as a white powder having blue fluorescence.

The compound with a phenanthrene skeleton and nitrogens at the 4 and 5 positions is known as phenanthroline.

Contents

[edit] Chemistry

Phenanthrene is nearly insoluble in water but is soluble in most organic solvents such as toluene, carbon tetrachloride, ether, chloroform, acetic acid and benzene.

A classical phenanthrene synthesis is the Bardhan-Sengupta phenanthrene synthesis.[2]

Bardhan-Senguptam phenanthrene synthesis

The first step is an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, which is allowed when the diphosphorous pentoxide makes the alcohol a better leaving group. However, no alkenes outside of the initial aromatic ring are created. In the second step of this reaction 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene is oxidized with elemental selenium. The aromatization of six-membered rings by selenium is not clearly understood, but it does produce H2Se.

Phenanthrene can also be obtained photochemically from certain diarylethenes.

Reactions of phenanthrene typically occur at the 9 and 10 positions, including:

[edit] Canonical forms

Phenanthrene is more stable than its linear isomer anthracene. A classic and well established explanation is based on Clar's rule. A novel theory invokes so-called stabilizing hydrogen-hydrogen bonds between the C4 and C5 hydrogen atoms.

[edit] Natural occurrence

Ravatite is a natural analog of synthetic phenanthrene. It is found in small amounts among a few coal burning sites. Ravatite represents a small group of organic minerals.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Record of CAS RN 85-01-8 in the GESTIS Substance Database from the IFA
  2. ^ chempensoftware.com Link
  3. ^ Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 4, p.757 (1963); Vol. 34, p.76 (1954) Link
  4. ^ Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 4, p.313 (1963); Vol. 34, p.31 (1954) Link.
  5. ^ Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 3, p.134 (1955); Vol. 28, p.19 (1948) Link.
  6. ^ Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 2, p.482 (1943); Vol. 16, p.63 (1936) Link.
  7. ^ Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 5, p.489 (1973); Vol. 41, p.41 (1961) Link.

[edit] External links

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