naphthalene
/ˈnafθəliːn
/noun [mass noun] Chemistry
A volatile white crystalline compound produced by the distillation of coal tar, used in mothballs and as a raw material for chemical manufacture.
- A bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; chemical formula: C10H8.
- Common aromatic compounds other than benzene include toluene, naphthalene, and anthracene, all of which are present in coal tar or creosote.
- In one method, naphthalene is oxidized with vanadium pentoxide to give phthalic anhydride.
Derivatives
naphthalic
- The anhydride of naphthalic acid was identified as a urinary metabolite in rats treated orally with acenaphthene.
- Single crystals of poly (naphthalic anhydride) have been grown using our confined thin film melt polymerization technique.
Origin
Early 19th century: from naphtha + -ene, with the insertion of -l- for ease of pronunciation.