What is anthracene?

Anthracene is an organic compound made of three fused benzene rings arranged in a straight line. It belongs to a group of compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) because it contains multiple connected aromatic rings.

The chemical formula of anthracene is C₁₄H₁₀. It is a colourless crystalline solid that is mainly obtained from coal tar. Due to its aromatic structure, anthracene shows special chemical properties related to the movement of electrons within its ring system.

Anthracene is used in the production of dyes, pigments, organic semiconductors, and research materials. One of its important derivatives, anthraquinone, is widely used in dye manufacturing. Studying anthracene helps students understand aromatic compounds, molecular structures, and the properties of fused-ring organic molecules in chemistry.