Reactions of Phenanthrene

Nitration of Phenanthrene

Phenanthrene undergoes nitration with concentrated nitric acid with sulphuric acid to yield 9-nitrophenanthrene.

Sulphonation of Phenanthrene

Phenanthrene reacts with concentrated sulphuric acid at 120°C to give a mixture of 2-phenanthrenesulphonic acid and 3-phenanthrenesulphonic.

Bromination of Phenanthrene

Phenanthrene reacts with chlorine in the presence of CCl₄ at room temperature to give 9,10-dibromophenanthrene. On heating this 9,10-dibromophenanthrene loses a molecule of HCl and gives 9-bromophenanthrene. 9,10-dibromophenanthrene also obtained by reacting bromine in peroxide with phenanthrene. 9-bromophenanthrene may also be prepared by heating phenanthrene with bromine in the presence of FeBr₃.

Ozonolysis of Phenanthrene

Phenanthrene gives diphenic acid on ozonolysis followed by oxidation with KMnO₄.

Reduction of Phenanthrene

Phenanthrene undergoes reduction with Na and isopentanol to form 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene.

Oxidation of Phenanthrene

Phenanthrene undergoes oxidation with KMnO₄ in sulphuric acid gives diphenic acid while oxidezed with CrO₃gives 9,10-phenanthraquinone which further oxidized with hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid gives diphenic acid.

Synthesis of Phenanthrene

Structure Determination of Phenanthrene