Benzanthrone (BZA) is a

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon A Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) is any member of a class of organic compounds that is composed of multiple fused aromatic rings. Most are produced by the incomplete combustion of organic matter— by engine exhaust fumes, tobacco, incine ...

. It is a yellow solid. Its derivatives are used as a

dyestuff Juan de Guillebon, better known by his stage name DyE, is a French musician. He is known for the music video of the single "Fantasy" from his first album ''Taki 183''. This video became popular, attracting over 65 million views, 49 million of t ...

intermediate for

anthraquinone Anthraquinone, also called anthracenedione or dioxoanthracene, is an aromatic hydrocarbon, aromatic organic compound with formula . Several isomers exist but these terms usually refer to 9,10-anthraquinone (IUPAC: 9,10-dioxoanthracene) wherein th ...

-based dyes. Dehydrogenative coupling gives

violanthrone Violanthrone, also known as dibenzanthrone, is an organic compound that serves as a vat dye and a precursor to other vat dyes. X-ray crystallography confirms that the molecule is planar with C2v symmetry. Isomeric with violanthrone is isoviolant ...

. It is prepared by reduction of

anthroquinone Anthraquinone, also called anthracenedione or dioxoanthracene, is an aromatic organic compound with formula . Several isomers exist but these terms usually refer to 9,10-anthraquinone (IUPAC: 9,10-dioxoanthracene) wherein the keto groups are loc ...

anthrone Anthrone is a tricyclic aromatic ketone. It is used for a common cellulose assay and in the colorimetric determination of carbohydrates. Derivatives of anthrone are used in pharmacy as laxative. They stimulate the motion of the colon and reduce ...

followed by alkylation with a mixture of

glycerol Glycerol () is a simple triol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, viscous liquid. The glycerol backbone is found in lipids known as glycerides. It is also widely used as a sweetener in the food industry and as a humectant in pha ...

and

sulfuric acid Sulfuric acid (American spelling and the preferred IUPAC name) or sulphuric acid (English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth spelling), known in antiquity as oil of vitriol, is a mineral acid composed of the elements sulfur, oxygen, ...

. It is a basic substance with

fluorescent Fluorescence is one of two kinds of photoluminescence, the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation, many substances will glow (fluoresce) with color ...

and

luminescent Luminescence is a spontaneous emission of radiation from an electronically or vibrationally excited species not in thermal equilibrium with its environment. A luminescent object emits ''cold light'' in contrast to incandescence, where an objec ...

properties. It can be used for

photosensitization Photosensitizers are light absorbers that alter the course of a photochemical reaction. They usually are catalysts. They can function by many mechanisms; sometimes they abstract an electron from the substrate, and sometimes they abstract a hydro ...

, and as a charge transport material. It is also used in

pyrotechnics Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating fireworks, but also includes safety matches, oxygen candles, Pyrotechnic fastener, explosive bolts (and other fasteners), parts of automotive airbags, as well as gas-pressure blasting in mining, q ...

industry, mainly as a component of some older formulations of green and yellow

colored smoke Colored smoke is a kind of smoke created by an particulate, aerosol of small particles of a suitable pigment or dye. Colored smoke can be used for smoke signals, often in a military context. It can be produced by smoke grenades, or by various ...

s, often together with Vat Yellow 4; its US military specification is MIL-D-50074D.

Safety

Benzanthrone causes

itching An itch (also known as pruritus) is a sensation that causes a strong desire or reflex to scratch. Itches have resisted many attempts to be classified as any one type of sensory experience. Itches have many similarities to pain, and while both ...

and burning sensations on exposed skin, together with

erythema Erythema (, ) is redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation. Examples of erythema not associated with pathology inc ...

dermatitis Dermatitis is a term used for different types of skin inflammation, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened ...

, and skin pigmentation.

References

{{reflist

External links

National Pollutant Inventory - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Fact Sheet
Fluorescent dyes Ketones Polycyclic aromatic compounds

Safety

See also

References

External links