Dibenzofuran

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Chemical structure of dibenzofuran showing numbering of the atoms in the rings

Dibenzofuran is a heterocyclic organic compound with the chemical structure shown at right. It is an aromatic compound that has two benzene rings fused to one furan ring in the middle. All of the numbered carbon atoms have a hydrogen atom bonded to each of them (not shown in the image). Dibenzofuran is an aromatic ether having the chemical formula C₁₂H₈O.

Dibenzofurans can also refer to a family of organic compounds which have atom or group substitutions made for the hydrogens on any of the numbered carbon atoms in the dibenzofuran structure. For example, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) has chlorine atoms substituted for each of the hydrogens on the number 2, 3, 7, and 8 carbons (see structure below). Dibenzofurans are very toxic chemicals with properties and chemical structures similar to dioxins.

Chemical structure of TCDF (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran)

The dibenzofuran TCDF (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran) is the dibenzofuran analog of the dibenzodioxin and Seveso poison TCDD (3,4,8,9-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin).