ABSTRACT
Naphthalene occurs as transparent prismatic plates also available as white scales, powder balls, or cakes with a characteristic mothball or strong coal tar and aromatic odour. It is sparingly soluble in water but soluble in methanol/ethanol and very soluble in ether. Naphthalene is a commercially important aromatic hydrocarbon. Naphthalene occurs as a white solid or powder. Naphthalene occurs in coal tar in large quantities and is easily isolated from this source in pure condition. It volatilises and sublimes at room temperature above the melting point. The primary use for naphthalene is in the production of phthalic anhydride, also of carbamate insecticides, surface active agents and resins, as a dye intermediate, as a synthetic tanning agent, as a moth repellent, and in miscellaneous organic chemicals. Naphthalene is used in the production of phthalic anhydride; it is also used in mothballs. Naphthalene is also used in the manufacture of phthalic and anthranilic acids to make indigo, indanthrene, and triphenyl methane dyes, for synthetic resins, lubricant, celluloid, lampblack, smokeless powder, and hydronaphthalenes. Naphthalene is also used in dusting powders, lavatory deodorant discs, wood preservatives, fungicide, and as an insecticide. It has been used as an intestinal antiseptic and vermicide and in the treatment of pediculosis and scabies. Occupational exposure to naphthalene occurs in the dye industry and other chemical synthetic industries.
