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
