Retene

Retene
IUPAC name

7-Isopropyl-1-methylphenanthrene
Other names

Retene
Identifiers
CAS number 483-65-8
PubChem 10222
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula C18H18
Molar mass 234.33552
Melting point

98.5 °C
Boiling point

390 °C
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Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Retene, methyl isopropyl phenanthrene or 1-methyl-7-isopropyl phenanthrene, C18H18, is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon present in the coal tar fraction, boiling above 360 °C. It occurs naturally in the tars obtained by the distillation of resinous woods. It crystallizes in large plates, which melt at 98.5 °C and boil at 390 °C. It is readily soluble in warm ether and in hot glacial acetic acid. Sodium and boiling amyl alcohol reduce it to a tetrahydroretene, whilst if it be heated with phosphorus and hydriodic acid to 260 °C, a dodecahydride is formed. Chromic acid oxidizes it to retene quinone, phthalic acid and acetic acid. It forms a picrate which melts at 123-124 °C.

Retene is derived by degradation of specific diterpenoids biologically produced by conifer trees.

The presence of traces of retene in the air is an indicator of forest fires; it is a major product of pyrolysis of conifer trees.[1] It is also present in effluents from wood pulp and paper mills.[2]

Retene, together with cadalene, simonellite and ip-iHMN, is a biomarker of higher plants, which makes it useful for paleobotanic analysis of rock sediments. Ratio of retene/cadalene in sediments can reveal the ratio of the genus Pinaceae in the biosphere.[3]

References

  1. ^ Unsolved Mysteries of Human Health, Community Outreach and Education Program, Oregon State University
  2. ^ J. Koistinen, M. Lehtonena, K. Tukia, M. Soimasuo, M. Lahtiperab and A. Oikari (1998). "IDENTIFICATION OF LIPOPHILIC POLLUTANTS DISCHARGED FROM A FINNISH PULP AND PAPER MILL". Chemosphere 37 (2): 219–235. doi:10.1016/S0045-6535(98)00041-1. PMID 9650265. 
  3. ^ Y. Hautevelle, R. Michels, F. Malartre and A. Trouiller (2005). "Vascular plant biomarkers as ancient vegetation proxies and their stratigraphic use for tracing paleoclimatic changes during Jurassic in Western Europe" (abstract). Geophysical Research Abstracts 7: 10201. http://www.cosis.net/abstracts/EGU05/10201/EGU05-J-10201.pdf. 

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.