9,10-Dithioanthracene

9,10-Dithioanthracene is a chemical compound used in organic chemistry and photochemistry. It is a derivative of anthracene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, with two sulfur atoms replacing two hydrogen atoms on the 9 and 10 positions of the anthracene core.

Structure and Properties

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• 9,10-Dithioanthracene is a yellow crystalline solid at room temperature. It has a planar structure, with the two sulfur atoms located on opposite sides of the anthracene core. The sulfur atoms are responsible for the unique properties of this compound, including its ability to undergo photochemical reactions.

• The molecular formula of 9,10-Dithioanthracene is C14H8S2, and its molar mass is 248.34 g/mol. It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents such as chloroform and dimethylformamide.

Synthesis

9,10-Dithioanthracene can be synthesized from anthracene through a two-step process. First, anthracene is reacted with chlorosulfuric acid to form 9,10-dichloroanthracene. This intermediate is then reacted with sodium sulfide in a nucleophilic substitution reaction to replace the chlorine atoms with sulfur atoms.

Applications

9,10-Dithioanthracene is primarily used in research, particularly in the field of photochemistry. It has been used as a photosensitizer in the study of photodynamic therapy, a treatment method for certain types of cancer. It has also been used in the development of molecular machines, devices that can perform tasks at the molecular level.

Safety

As with many chemical compounds, 9,10-Dithioanthracene should be handled with care. It can cause skin and eye irritation, and may be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Appropriate safety measures should be taken when working with this compound.

See Also

• Anthracene
• Photochemistry
• Photodynamic therapy
• Molecular machines