phenanthrene

[ fuh-nan-threen ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, shiny, crystalline, water-insoluble isomer of anthracene, C 1 4 H 1 0 , derived from coal tar: used chiefly in dyestuffs and in the synthesis of drugs.

phenanthrene

/ fɪˈnænθriːn /

noun

1. a colourless crystalline aromatic compound isomeric with anthracene: used in the manufacture of dyes, drugs, and explosives. Formula: C 14 H 10

phenanthrene

/ fə-năn′thrēn′ /

1. A colorless, crystalline hydrocarbon obtained by fractional distillation of coal-tar oils and used in dyes, drugs, and explosives. Phenanthrene is an isomer of anthracene and has three benzene rings fused together but not arranged in a straight line. Chemical formula: C 14 H 10 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenanthrene¹

First recorded in 1880–85; phen(o)- + anthr(ac)ene

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenanthrene¹

C19: from pheno- + anthracene

Example Sentences

Phenanthrene forms a quinone which has been utilized as a source of colouring-matters, but these are comparatively unimportant.

From Project Gutenberg

The next members are the isomers anthracene and phenanthrene, C14H10, formed from three benzene nuclei.

From Project Gutenberg