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.

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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

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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 .

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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 • Feb. 9, 2024

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

From Seattle Times • Dec. 16, 2022

Urine samples we collected from 52 children indicated that 70% had elevated levels of 2-Naphthol, a form of the possibly cancer-causing substance naphthalene.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2022

After further investigation, they realized they hadn’t even administered naphthalene at all, but rather a then-obscure drug called acetanilide, which the pharmacist had given them by mistake.

From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2022

Entomology smells like mothballs and oil: a preservative that, Dr. Geffard explains, is called naphthalene.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr