Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry Anthracene: A tricyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon of molecular formula C14H10 featuring three fused benzene rings in a linear arrangement, or a molecule [..]

<chemistry> A solid hydrocarbon, C6H4.C2H2.C6H4, which accompanies naphthalene in the last stages of the distillation of coal tar. Its chief use is in the artificial production of alizarin. Alternative forms: anthracin. Origin: Gr. Coal. (01 Mar 1998)

Anthracene is a solid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon consisting of three benzene rings derived from coal tar. Anthracene is used in the artifical production of the red dye alizarin. It is also found in some coal tar oils which are used for example as wood preservatives, insecticides and coating materials.