Chemical Properties
Yellow Solid
Uses
Benzo(c)phenanthrene is a PAH metabolite having a toxic effect on fish bone metabolite. Also, it is used as a marker of the carcinogenic potency of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) mixture. A genotoxic agent.
Definition
ChEBI: An ortho-fused polycyclic arene resulting from the symmetrical fusion of the C1-C2 bonds of two naphthalene units.
Safety Profile
Questionable carcinogen withexperimental tumorigenic data. Mutation data reported.When heated to decomposition it emits acrid and irritatingfumes.
Carcinogenicity
Dermal administration (initiation–
promotion protocols) to mice showed benzo[c]phenanthrene
was a tumor-initiating agent. Repeated dermal
administration in mice or subcutaneous injection into mice
or rats gave results considered to be inadequate for evaluation
(3). Intraperitoneal injection of benzo[c]phenanthrene
into infant mice resulted in a substantial induction of
lung tumors. Seven suspected activated metabolites were
also active, as well as in two-stage mouse carcinogenesis
assays.
Purification Methods
Crystallise benzo[c]phenanthrene from EtOH, pet ether, or EtOH/Me2CO. [Beilstein 5 III 2378, 5 IV 2552.]
