Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Biology / Biochemistry / Difference Between Anthracene and Phenanthrene

Difference Between Anthracene and Phenanthrene

August 15, 2019 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between anthracene and phenanthrene is that anthracene is less stable compared to phenanthrene.

Anthracene and phenanthrene are structural isomers. They have the same chemical formula, but the structure of the molecule differs from each other. However, both these compounds contain three benzene rings per molecule.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Anthracene
3. What is Phenanthrene 
4. Similarities Between Anthracene and Phenanthrene
5. Side by Side Comparison – Anthracene vs Phenanthrene in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Anthracene?

Anthracene is a solid compound that has three fused benzene rings in a straight chain. The chemical formula is C14H10. It appears as a colourless solid, and it has a weak aromatic odour. Furthermore, the chemical structure of anthracene is less stable due to less efficient pi bonding.

Difference Between Anthracene and Phenanthrene

Figure 01: Structure of Anthracene

The major source of anthracene is coal tar. It has about 1.5% anthracene. Furthermore, the common impurities we can find in anthracene are phenanthrene and carbazole. We can produce this material in a laboratory via cyclodehydration of O-methyl substituted diaryl ketones. Moreover, this compound can undergo photodimerization under UV light. We call this dimer dianthracene.

The major use of anthracene is in the production of red dye alizarin. Additionally, there are some other dyes that we can produce using this compound. Further, it is useful as a scintillator in detectors for high energy protons. Besides, like many other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, anthracene is also present in cigarette smoke.

What is Phenanthrene?

Phenanthrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon having three fused benzene rings in a non-linear structure. The name phenanthrene is a combination of phenyl and anthracene. It is a colourless solid and is an irritant.

Key Difference - Anthracene vs Phenanthrene

Figure 02: Structure of Phenanthrene

Moreover, this compound is almost insoluble in water but soluble in less polar solvents such as toluene. We can find this material in its pure form in cigarette smoke. Further, it is useful in making dyes, plastics, pesticides, explosives, drugs, etc.

What are the Similarities Between Anthracene and Phenanthrene?

  • Anthracene and phenanthrene are structural isomers.
  • Moreover, both these compounds contain three benzene rings per molecule.

What is the Difference Between Anthracene and Phenanthrene?

Anthracene is a solid compound that has three fused benzene rings in a straight chain while phenanthrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon having three fused benzene rings in a non-linear structure. The key difference between anthracene and phenanthrene is that anthracene is less stable compared to phenanthrene. In phenanthrene, the stability is due to the efficient pi bonding in it.

Below infographic shows more facts on the difference between anthracene and phenanthrene.

Difference Between Anthracene and Phenanthrene in Tabular Form

Summary – Anthracene vs Phenanthrene

Basically, anthracene and phenanthrene are structural isomers. The key difference between anthracene and phenanthrene is that anthracene is less stable compared to phenanthrene.

Reference:

1. “Anthracene.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 July 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Anthracene molecule ball” By Jynto (talk) – Own work – created with Discovery Studio Visualizer (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Phenanthrene molecule ball” By Jynto (talk) – Own work – created with Discovery Studio Visualizer (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Key Difference Between Reducing Sugar and StarchDifference Between Reducing Sugar and Starch Key Difference Between Liposome and MicelleDifference Between Liposome and Micelle Difference Between Polar and Nonpolar Amino AcidsDifference Between Polar and Nonpolar Amino Acids Difference Between Isoelectric and Isoionic PointDifference Between Isoelectric and Isoionic Point Difference Between Gas Solid Chromatography and Gas Liquid ChromatographyDifference Between Gas Solid Chromatography and Gas Liquid Chromatography

Filed Under: Biochemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Ascending and Descending Aorta

Difference Between Ascending and Descending Aorta

Difference Between Point Group and Space Group

Difference Between Point Group and Space Group

Difference Between Binary and ASCII

Difference Between Sodium Cyanide and Potassium Cyanide

Difference Between Sodium Cyanide and Potassium Cyanide

Difference Between Accountant and Auditor

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Cybrids and Hybrids
  • What is the Difference Between Hapten and Adjuvant
  • What is the Difference Between Omphalocele and Gastroschisis
  • What is the Difference Between Autonomic and Somatic Reflexes
  • What is the Difference Between Plagiocephaly and Craniosynostosis
  • What is the Difference Between Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.