Terphenyls are a group of closely related
aromatic hydrocarbons
Aromatic compounds or arenes are organic compounds "with a chemistry typified by benzene" and "cyclically conjugated."
The word "aromatic" originates from the past grouping of molecules based on odor, before their general chemical properties were ...
. Also known as diphenylbenzenes or triphenyls, they consist of a central
benzene
Benzene is an Organic compound, organic chemical compound with the Chemical formula#Molecular formula, molecular formula C6H6. The benzene molecule is composed of six carbon atoms joined in a planar hexagonal Ring (chemistry), ring with one hyd ...
ring substituted with two
phenyl group
In organic chemistry, the phenyl group, or phenyl ring, is a cyclic group of atoms with the formula , and is often represented by the symbol Ph (archaically φ) or Ø. The phenyl group is closely related to benzene and can be viewed as a benzene ...
s. There are three
substitution patterns: ''ortho''-terphenyl,
''meta''-terphenyl, and ''para''-terphenyl. Commercial grade terphenyl is generally a mixture of the three
isomer
In chemistry, isomers are molecules or polyatomic ions with identical molecular formula – that is, the same number of atoms of each element (chemistry), element – but distinct arrangements of atoms in space. ''Isomerism'' refers to the exi ...
s. This mixture is used in the production of
polychlorinated terphenyl
Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) are a group of chlorine derivatives of terphenyls. They are chemically related to polychlorinated biphenyls and have similar chemical properties. They have very low electrical conductivity, high heat stability ...
s, which were formerly used as heat storage and transfer agents.
[''p''-Terphenyl]
at chemicalland21.com
''p''-Terphenyl derivatives are found in various fungi and bacteria. One example is
atromentin
Atromentin is a natural chemical compound found in Agaricomycetes fungi in the orders Agaricales and Thelephorales. It can also be prepared by laboratory synthesis. Chemically, it is a polyphenol and a benzoquinone.
Occurrences
Atromentin has ...
, a pigment found in some mushrooms. These natural ''p''-terphenyls are better described as diphenylquinones or diphenylhydroquinones. Some m-terphenyl compounds occur in plants.
See also
*
Biphenyl
Biphenyl (also known as diphenyl, phenylbenzene, 1,1′-biphenyl, lemonene or BP) is an organic compound that forms colorless crystals. Particularly in older literature, compounds containing the functional group consisting of biphenyl less one ...
*
Terpyridine
Terpyridine (2,2';6',2"-terpyridine, often abbreviated to Terpy or Tpy) is a heterocyclic compound derived from pyridine. It is a white solid that is soluble in most organic solvents. The compound is mainly used as a ligand in coordination chemist ...
*
Terthiophene
Terthiophene is the organic compound with the formula 4H3Ssub>2C4H2S. It is an oligomer of the heterocycle thiophene, a shorter oligomer is dithienyl, and the parent polymer is polythiophene. In the most common isomer of terthiophene, two thienyl ...
*
Triphenylene
Triphenylene is an organic compound with the formula (C6H4)3. It's a flat polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that has a highly symmetric and planar structure consists of four fused benzene rings. Triphenylene has delocalized 18-''π''-electron ...
*
OMRE, experimental
organic
Organic may refer to:
* Organic, of or relating to an organism, a living entity
* Organic, of or relating to an anatomical organ
Chemistry
* Organic matter, matter that has come from a once-living organism, is capable of decay or is the product ...
nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device used to initiate and control a Nuclear fission, fission nuclear chain reaction. They are used for Nuclear power, commercial electricity, nuclear marine propulsion, marine propulsion, Weapons-grade plutonium, weapons ...
that tested terphenyl as reactor coolant
References
{{reflist
External links
p-Terphenylat the Oregon Laser Medical Center
at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Phenyl compounds
Nuclear reactor coolants