anthracene
|an-thra-cene|
/ˈænθrəˌsiːn/
coal-derived three-ring aromatic hydrocarbon
Etymology
'anthracene' originates from Greek via New Latin, specifically the Greek word 'ánthrax' (ἀνθραξ) meaning 'coal' combined with the chemical suffix '-ene' (from modern chemical nomenclature) indicating an unsaturated hydrocarbon.
'anthracene' changed from French 'anthracène' (used in 19th-century chemical literature) and New Latin forms into the modern English word 'anthracene'.
Initially, the term referred generally to a substance obtained from 'coal'; over time it came to denote the specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with formula C14H10.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with formula C14H10, consisting of three linearly fused benzene rings; a colorless crystalline solid obtained from coal tar.
Anthracene has the formula C14H10 and consists of three fused benzene rings.
Synonyms
Noun 2
any compound or derivative of anthracene; substances derived from anthracene used in dye manufacture, organic synthesis, or as organic semiconductors.
Compounds derived from anthracene are used to make dyes and organic electronic materials.
Last updated: 2025/08/24 23:45