naphthalene

American  

[naf-thuh-leen, nap-] / ˈnæf θəˌlin, ˈnæp- /

Also naphthaline,

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble hydrocarbon, C 1 0 H 8 , usually obtained from coal tar: used in making dyes, as a moth repellant, etc.

---

naphthalene British  

/ ˈnæp-, ˈnæfθəˌliːn, ˈnæfθəlɪn, ˈnæp-, næp-, næfˈθælɪk /

noun

1. a white crystalline volatile solid with a characteristic penetrating odour: an aromatic hydrocarbon used in mothballs and in the manufacture of dyes, explosives, etc. Formula: C 10 H 8

---

naphthalene Scientific  

/ năf′thə-lēn′ /

1. A white crystalline compound made from coal tar or petroleum and used to make dyes, mothballs, explosives, and solvents. Naphthalene consists of two benzene rings fused together. Chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₈ .

---

Other Word Forms

• naphthalenic adjective
• naphthalic adjective

Etymology

Origin of naphthalene

First recorded in 1865–70; naphth- + -al ³ + -ene

Example Sentences

This includes extremely challenging aromatic molecules with very high oxidation potentials such as naphthalene, toluene, or benzene.

From Science Daily

In this new approach, the team produced benzenes and naphthalenes with functional groups which are attached precisely to specific positions.

From Science Daily

Indene is a starting material frequently used in the production of organic compounds, as is the product naphthalene.

From Science Daily

It said those samples showed elevated levels of the hazardous chemicals benzene and naphthalene.

From Seattle Times

Our test results indicated that all the 52 children we tested had high levels in their urine of metabolised naphthalene, a possible carcinogen.

From BBC