Difference between revisions of "Naphthalene"
(Created page with "{{stub}} '''Naphthalene''' is an organic compound with the chemical formula C<sub>10</sub>H<sub>8</sub>. It is the simplest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. ==Properties== ==...") |
|||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
===Disposal=== | ===Disposal=== | ||
| − | Naphthalene can be safely burned. | + | Naphthalene can be safely burned. It can also be destroyed with Fenton's reagent. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=4808 solubility of naphthalene in acetone] | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=4808 solubility of naphthalene in acetone] | ||
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=15348 When naphthalene balls aren’t naphthalene balls(?)] | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=15348 When naphthalene balls aren’t naphthalene balls(?)] | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Chemical compounds]] | [[Category:Chemical compounds]] | ||
[[Category:Organic compounds]] | [[Category:Organic compounds]] | ||
Revision as of 18:15, 24 December 2015
 |
This article is a stub. Please help Sciencemadness Wiki by expanding it, adding pictures, and improving existing text.
|
Naphthalene is an organic compound with the chemical formula C10H8. It is the simplest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Naphthalene can react with halogens, such as chlorine to form 1-chloronaphthalene, without requiring a catalyst, unlike in the case of benzene. Likewise, whereas both benzene and naphthalene can be alkylated using Friedel–Crafts reactions, naphthalene can also be alkylated by reaction with alkenes or alcohols, with sulfuric or phosphoric acid as the catalyst.
Physical
Naphthalene is a white crystalline solid with a characteristic odor that is detectable at low concentrations. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in other organic solvents, especially closer to their boiling point.
Availability
Some mothballs, especially the older types tend to contain naphtalene, the exact concentration depending on the product. Naphthalene can be extracted via sublimation. Always check the label, as most common mothballs contain 1,4-dichlorobenzene.
Naphthalene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene are never found together, as they react.
Mothballs and other products containing naphthalene have been banned within the EU since 2008.
Preparation
Naphthalene can be extracted from coal tar, via sublimation and purification.
Projects
- Phtalic anhydride synthesis
- Dialin synthesis
Handling
Safety
Naphthalene is known to to be toxic to red blood cells and it's considered a possible carcinogenic.
Storage
Naphthalene should be stored in hermetic sealed bottles and kept in a cold place as it will slowly sublime and deposit on the cap interior.
Disposal
Naphthalene can be safely burned. It can also be destroyed with Fenton's reagent.
