Title: Retene
CAS Registry Number: 483-65-8
CAS Name: 1-Methyl-7-(1-methylethyl)phenanthrene
Molecular Formula: C18H18
Molecular Weight: 234.34
Percent Composition: C 92.26%, H 7.74%
Literature References: Occurs in pine tar, in fossilized pine, in high-boiling tar oils. Formed by Se or Pd dehydrogenation of abietic acid: Ruzicka, Waldmann,
Helv. Chim. Acta 16, 842 (1933). Synthesis starting with methyl b-(6-isopropyl-2-naphthoyl)propionate: Bardhan, Sengupta,
J. Chem. Soc. 1932, 2520, 2798;
cf. Bogert,
Science 77, 289 (1933). Review and bibliography: Fieser, Fieser,
Natural Products Related to Phenanthrene (New York, 3rd ed., 1949).
Properties: Plates, scales from alc, mp 99°. bp10 208°; bp760 390-394°. Absorption spectrum: Askew,
J. Chem. Soc. 1935, 509. Insol in water. Sol in hot alcohol, benzene, hot ether, carbon disulfide. Upon treatment with CrO3 in acetic acid forms retenequinone, C18H16O2, mp 197.5°.
Melting point: mp 99°; mp 197.5°
Boiling point: bp10 208°; bp760 390-394°