Anthracene

Anthracene is a solid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) of formula C₁₄H₁₀, consisting of three fused benzene rings. It is a component of coal tar. Anthracene is used as a precursor in the production of anthraquinone and its derivatives such as the red dye alizarin, and as a scintillator to detect high energy particles. Anthracene is colorless but exhibits a blue (400–500 nm peak) fluorescence under ultraviolet radiation.