Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 11:24AM
Drew Wolfe

Phenanthrene

"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. 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."

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

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