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azulene

Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)

EntityQ144362· pop 30· linked from 214 articles

Also known as Azulen, cyclopentacycloheptene, bicyclo[5.3.0]decapentaene

Azulene is an aromatic organic compound and an isomer of naphthalene. Naphthalene is colourless, whereas azulene is dark blue. The compound is named after its colour, as "azul" is Spanish for blue. Two terpenoids, vetivazulene (4,8-dimethyl-2-isopropylazulene) and guaiazulene (1,4-dimethyl-7-isopropylazulene), that feature the azulene skeleton are found in nature as constituents of pigments in mushrooms, guaiac wood oil, and some marine invertebrates.

Chemical data

Formula
C10H8
Molecular weight
128.17 g/mol
IUPAC name
azulene
SMILES
C1=CC=C2C=CC=C2C=C1
InChIKey
CUFNKYGDVFVPHO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
XLogP
3.2
Polar surface area
0 Ų
H-bond donors
0
H-bond acceptors
0
Formal charge
0

via PubChem

Wikidata facts

Mass
128.063
Image
Sublsublimated azulene.jpg
Show 6 more facts
canonical SMILES
C1=CC=C2C=CC=C2C=C1
chemical formula
C₁₀H₈
Commons category
Azulene
melting point
99
electric dipole moment
0.80
ionization energy
7.41
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Article

6 sections
Contents
  • Structure and bonding
  • Organic synthesis
  • Organometallic complexes
  • Derivatives
  • References
  • External links

Azulene is an aromatic organic compound and an isomer of naphthalene. Naphthalene is colourless, whereas azulene is dark blue. The compound is named after its colour, as "azul" is Spanish for blue. Two terpenoids, vetivazulene (4,8-dimethyl-2-isopropylazulene) and guaiazulene (1,4-dimethyl-7-isopropylazulene), that feature the azulene skeleton are found in nature as constituents of pigments in mushrooms, guaiac wood oil, and some marine invertebrates.

Azulene has a long history, dating back to the 15th century as the azure-blue chromophore obtained by steam distillation of German chamomile. The chromophore was discovered in yarrow and wormwood and named in 1863 by Septimus Piesse. Its structure was first reported by Lavoslav Ružička, followed by its organic synthesis in 1937 by Placidus Plattner.

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