Acenaphthylene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is an ortho- and peri-fused tricyclic hydrocarbon. The molecule resembles naphthalene with positions 1 and 8 connected by a -CH=CH- unit. It is a yellow solid.
Reactions
Hydrogenation gives the more saturated compound acenaphthene. Chemical reduction affords the radical anion sodium or potassium acenaphthalenide, which is used as a strong reductant (E = -2.26 V vs FC).
It functions as a ligand for some organometallic compounds.
Uses
Polymerisation of acenaphthylene with acetylene in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst gives electrically conductive polymers. Acenaphthylene possesses excellent properties as an antioxidant in cross-linked polyethylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. Thermal trimerization of acenaphthylene leads to decacyclene, which can be further processed to sulfur dyes.
Toxicity
The no-observed-adverse-effect-level of acenaphthylene after repeated 28-day oral administration to both male and female rats was found to be 4 mg/kg/day.