Synthesis of Anthracene

HAWORTH SYNTHESIS OF ANTHRACENE:-

Anthracene is a species of Polynuclear Hydrocarbon containing three aromatic ring.The most widely used process of synthesis of Anthracene is Haworth synthesis.In this process, Phthalic anhydride reacts with the benzene ring in the presence of anhydrous Aluminum Chloride and forms ortho-benzylbenzoic acid which is heated with the Concentrated Sulphuric acid which dehydrates into 9,10Anthraquinone, on distillation of its along with the Zinc dust it converts to the Anthracene.