Talk:1-Methylnaphthalene

PAH or not?

Edit: (it isnt really a PAH). Why almost-write an overterse non-explanation? Let's check this. Is it or isn't it? and why? See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. "The simplest such chemicals are naphthalene, having two aromatic rings, and the three-ring compounds anthracene and phenanthrene." Later it says: "The tricyclic species phenanthrene and anthracene represent the starting members of the PAHs. Smaller molecules, such as benzene, are not PAHs," (cleverly leaving 2-ring naphthalene undefined, although all later tables include naphthalene.) "and PAHs are not generally considered to contain heteroatoms or carry substituents." CONFIRMED, but not with utmost confidence. Although naphthalene [probably] is a PAH, 1-methylnaphthalene seems not to be a PAH. (The article later incidentally mentions "PAH compounds including parent and alkylated forms".)

See Overview of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAC): "Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC)" include "polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)" and "heterocyclic aromatic compounds (NSO-PAC, heterocycles)". "PAC nomenclature is a complex topic" (Duh.) "It is important to realize that the term PAH does not cover heterocyclic compounds." (CONFIRMED!) "Selected PACs are listed in Table 1 .... ordered with respect to increasing ring number. First, PAHs and particularly relevant alkylated PAHs are tabulated followed by PAHs with functional groups such as keto, hydroxy, nitro, amino, and cyano groups, as well as carboxylic acids. Since PAHs often occur together with their heterocyclic analogs, PACs from the groups of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur heterocycles are also included." Processing. "Alkylated PAHs" obviously includes 1-methylnaphthalene (and others). Is an "alkylated PAH" a PAH, or isn't it? And, at the next step out, is a "PAH with functional group(s)" a PAH or isn't it? I guess I have to leave those for the Supreme Cabal Court. See also Polycyclic compound, Heterocyclic compound. -A876 (talk) 16:14, 24 October 2018 (UTC)