anthracene

[ an-thruh-seen ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, crystalline powder, C 14 H 12 , obtained from coal tar and having a violet fluorescence: used chiefly as a source of anthraquinone and alizarin, and in the process of measuring radioactive materials.

anthracene

/ ˈænθrəˌsiːn /

noun

1. a colourless tricyclic crystalline solid having a slight blue fluorescence, used in the manufacture of chemicals, esp diphenylamine and alizarin, and as crystals in scintillation counters. Formula: C 6 H 4 (CH) 2 C 6 H 4

anthracene

/ ăn′thrə-sēn′ /

1. A crystalline hydrocarbon that consists of three benzene rings fused together. It is extracted from coal tar and is used to make dyes and organic chemicals. Chemical formula: C 14 H 10 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthracene¹

First recorded in 1860–65; anthrac- + -ene

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthracene¹

C19: from anthrax + -ene

Example Sentences

Their successful synthesis and characterization of a novel molecule called "BNBN anthracene" has opened up new possibilities for the development of advanced electronic devices.

From Science Daily

Then they tracked the resulting annihilation radiation at the farthest edges of their experiment, using two photomultiplier tubes, anthracene crystals and a scintillation counter as a gamma-ray detector.

From Scientific American

After the aniline dyes, derived from benzene, came magentas made from toluene, reds from anthracene, pinks from phenol, and indigos from naphthalene.

From Scientific American

It is obtained by oxidation of anthracene.

From Project Gutenberg

Anthracene was obtained from alizarine, and, after much labour, alizarine was prepared from anthracene.

From Project Gutenberg