C15H10

FLUORANTHENE  , also known as idryl, a hydrocarbon occurring with phenanthrene, pyrene, diphenyl, and other substances in " Stupp " fat (the fat obtained in working up the mercury ores in Idria), and. also in the higher boiling fractions of the coal tar distillate . It was discovered by R . Fittigin 1878, who, with Gebhard and H . Liepmann, elucidated its constitution (see Ann., 1879, 200, p . I) . The hydrocarbons are separated from the " Stupp " by means of alcohol, the soluble portion on distillation giving first phenanthrene and then a mixture of pyrene and fluoranthene . From the tar distillate, the chrysene can be fractionally precipitated, and the fluoranthene can be separated from most of the pyrene by fractional distillation in a partial vacuum . In either case the two hydrocarbons are finally separated by fractional crystallization of their picrates, which are then decomposed by ammonia . Fluoranthene crystallizes in large slender needles or monoclinic tables, melting at 10g-110° C. and boiling at 250—251° C . (6o mm.) . It is easily soluble in hot alcohol, ether and carbon bisulphide . On oxidation with chromic acid it forms a quinone, C15HSO2, and an a-diphenylene keto- CeHic carboxylic acid Cr,H3>CO2H• The picrate melts at 182—183° C .