Anthracene oil

Description

Anthracene oil is a crop desiccant. It has a low aqueous solubility, non-mobile and is non-volatile. It is moderately persistent in most soil systems but not expected to be persistent in aqueous systems. Anthracene oil is moderately toxic to mammals but there is some concern regarding its potential to bioaccumulate. It is a skin irritant but there is no data to suggest any significant concerns for human health. It is moderately persistent to birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Chemical Properties

Anthracene is colorless, to pale yellow crystalline solid with a bluish fluorescence. PAHs are compounds containing multiple benzene rings and are also called polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

Uses

Anthracene oil is mainly used to extract crude anthracene, phenanthrene, fluorene, acenaphthene, carbazole, and other products. It can also be used in the production of carbon black, wood preservative oil, and insecticides.

Production Methods

Anthracene oil is produced as a by-product during the high-temperature distillation of coal tar. The process begins by isolating the fraction of coal tar that boils between 300 and 360 DegC, known as anthracene oil, which contains approximately 7% anthracene along with other aromatic compounds. This oil is cooled and centrifuged to separate anthracene-rich residues. Further purification involves crystallisation to form an “anthracene cake,” followed by vacuum distillation to concentrate the anthracene content. Final refining steps, such as recrystallisation in polar solvents or azeotropic distillation, yield high-purity anthracene oil.

Definition

Anthracene oil is a complex combination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons obtained from coal tar having an approximate distillation range of 300.degree.C to 400.degree.C (572.degree.F to 752.degree.F). Composed primarily of phenanthrene, anthracene and carbazole.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Mechanism of action

Contact action - desiccant

Potential Exposure

It is used as an intermediate in dye stuffs (alizarin), insecticides, and wood preservatives; making synthetic fibers, anthraquinone, and other chemicals. May be present in coke oven emissions, diesel fuel, and coal tar pitch volitiles.

Shipping

UN2811 Toxic solids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required.

Incompatibilities

Finely dispersed powder may form explosive mixture in air. Contact with strong oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, chromic acid/or calcium hypochlorite.

Waste Disposal

Consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant (≥100 kg/mo) must conform with EPA regulations governing storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal. Incineration.

Pesticide Type

Herbicide; Insecticide; Fungicide

Raw materials

Preparation Products