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

Naphthalene and benzene, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies as carcinogenic to humans, was found there six years ago.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2024

Naphthalene didn’t get rid of worms — but to the students’ surprise, it did break the person’s fever.

From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2022

Solution of N.G. in Naphthalene 75 per cent.

From Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise by Sanford, P. Gerald (Percy Gerald)

Or, with naphthylamine and naphthol, thus:— C10H7N:NCl + C10H7OH + NaOH = NaCl    +    C10H7N:NC10H6OH    +  H2O Naphthalene azo-naphthol.

From The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics A Practical Handbook for the Dyer and Student by Beech, Franklin

Here we shall only discuss the structure of these compounds in the light of the modern benzene theories; reference should be made 58 to the articles Naphthalene, Anthracene and Phenanthrene for syntheses, decompositions, &c.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various