Thianthrene is a chemical compound with an interesting spelling. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is θaɪˈænθriːn. The initial "th" in the word is pronounced as the voiceless dental fricative sound /θ/. The following "i" sound is represented by the vowel symbol /aɪ/. The spelling of "anth" is pronounced as the voiced dental fricative /ð/, followed by the vowel /æ/ and the consonant lengthened with two e's. Thianthrene is often used in the study of electronics and material science to create semiconducting polymers.
Thianthrene refers to a polycyclic compound that consists of three fused benzene rings, with two carbon atoms replaced by sulfur atoms. It has a chemical formula of C12H8S2 and a molecular weight of approximately 216.32 g/mol. Thianthrene is classified as a heterocyclic organic compound due to the presence of the sulfur atoms, which results in its unique chemical and structural attributes.
Thianthrene is typically found in a solid state, appearing as colorless or pale yellow crystals. It is insoluble in water but dissolves well in organic solvents, such as chloroform and benzene. Its melting point is approximately 195 °C.
This compound possesses an aromatic character, meaning it exhibits stability due to the delocalization of electrons within its ring structure. Thianthrene is primarily utilized in organic synthesis and plays a crucial role in the production of dyes, pigments, and pharmaceutical intermediates. Its aromatic nature also allows it to be employed as a building block in the synthesis of other complex organic compounds.
Thianthrene is not known to be naturally occurring and is mostly synthesized by various chemical methods. It has gained prominence in the scientific community for its diverse applications and importance as a synthetic intermediate in the production of various commercial products.
The word "thianthrene" is derived from combining the terms "thiophene" and "anthracene".
"Thiophene" is derived from the combination of "thio-" (meaning "sulfur") and "furan" (a heterocyclic compound). "Anthracene" comes from "anthrax" (Greek for "coal") and the suffix "-ene" (used for hydrocarbons).
By combining the two terms, "thianthrene" describes a fused aromatic hydrocarbon containing sulfur and with a structure resembling a combination of thiophene and anthracene.