Retene
RETENE (methyl isopropyl phenanthrene), Ci 8 Hi 8 , a hydrocarbon present in the coal-tar fraction, boiling above 360 C.; it also occurs 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.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
