Substance profile
Anthraquinone
Anthraquinone is light yellow, slender monoclinic prisms by sublimation in vacuo with an aromatic odor (technical).
01 · Identification
What Anthraquinone is
Anthraquinone is light yellow, slender monoclinic prisms by sublimation in vacuo with an aromatic odor (technical). Its molecular formula is C14H8O2 and its molecular weight is 208.21 g/mol. It boils at 377 °C, melts at 286 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Anthraquinone properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 377 °C (710.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 380 °C (716 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 376.9 °C (710.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | 286 °C (546.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| Density | 1.4 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.438 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.43 g/cm³ | range, midpoint shown, at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | SOL IN CONCN SULFURIC ACID | HSDB | |
| Soluble in acetone | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 1.16e-7 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 1 mmHg | at 190 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 185 °C (365 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB |
| 185 °C (365 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 650 °C (1202 °F) | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 7.16 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Anthraquinone
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Solubility
0.44 g/100 g alc at 25 °C; 2.25 g/100 g boiling alc; 0.11 g/100 g ether at 25 °C; 0.61 g/100 g chloroform at 20 °C; 0.26 g/100 g benzene at 20 °C; 0.30 g/100 g toluene at 25 °C
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Anthraquinone
Incompatible materials
... Decomposed by hydrogen peroxide and ferrous sulphate at pH 4.5 /Anthraquinone-dyes/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ANTHRAQUINONE is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Anthraquinone in the storage compatibility matrix →