Dibenzofuran

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Dibenzofuran
Identifiers
CAS number	[132-64-9]
Properties
Molecular formula	C12H8O
Molar mass	168.19 g/mol
Appearance	white to pale yellow crystalline powder
Melting point	81 - 85 °C
Boiling point	285 °C
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Hazards
R-phrases	R51/53
S-phrases	S24/25 S29 S61
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

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.

[edit] Dibenzofurans

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). Polychlorinated dibenzofurans are very toxic chemicals with properties and chemical structures similar to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, often simply called dioxins.

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