Chem. [f. Gr. ἀνθρακ-(-αξ) coal + -ENE.] A complex hydrocarbon, called in systematic nomenclature Para-naphthalin, obtained from coal-tar; discovered in 1832 in the heavy semifluid portion of the tar which comes over towards the close of the distillation. It belongs to the aromatic or Benzol group, has composition C14H10 = C6H2 (C4H4)2 = (C6H4)2 C2H2, and passes under influence of light into the isomeric paranthracene.
1863. Watts, Dict. Chem., IV. 350. Crude commercial anthracene is distilled from an iron retort.
1873. Cooke, Chemistry, 325. Alizarine is manufactured on a large scale from the anthracene obtained from coal-tar.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, I. 191. Pure anthracene appears in small, well-defined, lustrous crystalline laminæ of a clear white colour.
Attrib. in anthracene colors, derivatives, etc. Anthracene Red, a name for artificial alizarine.
