Anthraquinone (9,10-dioxoanthracene) is an aromatic organic compound. It is a derivative of anthracene. It has the appearance of yellow or light gray to gray-green solid crystalline powder. Its other names are 9,10-anthracenedione, anthradione, 9,10-anthrachinon, anthracene-9,10-quinone, 9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxoanthracene, and trade names Hoelite, Morkit, Corbit, and others.
Physical propertiesIt is semisoluble in water but dissolves in alcohol, nitrobenzene and aniline. It is chemically fairly stable under normal conditions. Natural occurrencesAnthraquinones naturally occur in some plants (eg. aloe, senna, rhubarb, and Cascara buckthorn), fungi, lichens, and insects, where they serve as a basic skeleton for their pigments. Natural anthraquinone derivatives tend to have laxative effects. ChemistryThere are several ways to obtain anthraquinone:
In a classic organic reaction called the Bally-Scholl synthesis (1905), anthraquinone condenses with glycerol forming benzanthrone1. In this reaction the quinone is first reduced with copper metal in sulfuric acid (converting one ketone group into a methylene group) after which the glycerol is added. Industrial applicationsAnthraquinone is used in production of dyes, such as alizarin. Many natural pigments are derivatives of anthraquinone. Anthraquinone is also used as a catalyst in production of wood pulp in pulp and paper industry. Another use is as a bird repellant on seeds. A derivative of anthraquinone (2-ethylanthraquinone) is used to produce hydrogen peroxide commercially. Medical usesAnthraquinone is used as a laxative. Prolonged use and abuse leads to melanosis coli.23 External links
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