Fluoren

Fluoren is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C13H10. It consists of two benzene rings fused to a five-membered ring in the center. It is a colorless solid that is soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water. Fluoren occurs naturally in coal tar and is also produced synthetically.

Fluoren has several industrial applications. It is used as a precursor in the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. Its derivatives can exhibit fluorescence, making them useful in optical brighteners and as components in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Fluoren itself has been studied for its potential in materials science and as a building block for more complex organic molecules.

The chemical structure of fluoren allows for various reactions, including electrophilic substitution on the aromatic rings and reactions involving the methylene group in the five-membered ring. These reactions enable the modification of fluoren to create a wide range of functionalized compounds with tailored properties. Research continues into new applications and synthesis methods for fluoren and its derivatives.