What does anthraquinone mean?
Anthraquinone is a yellow crystalline organic compound with the formula C₁₄H₈O₂, built from three fused rings — two benzene rings joined to a central quinone ring bearing two carbonyl groups. It is best known as the structural foundation of the anthraquinone dyes, a large and commercially important family of synthetic colorants that includes alizarin, the pigment historically extracted from madder root. First prepared in the nineteenth century by oxidizing anthracene, it became central to the rise of the German synthetic dye industry. Beyond colorants, anthraquinone derivatives occur widely in nature: plants such as senna, aloe, and rhubarb contain anthraquinone glycosides responsible for their laxative properties, and related compounds serve as catalysts in hydrogen peroxide manufacture. The word belongs to technical registers — chemistry, pharmacology, and materials science — and is encountered mainly in scientific writing rather than everyday speech.
nounA yellow crystalline aromatic organic compound, C₁₄H₈O₂, consisting of two benzene rings fused to a central quinone ring; it is the parent compound of an important class of dyes and pigments.
- The specific compound 9,10-anthraquinone, C₁₄H₈O₂, a yellow crystalline solid used chiefly as the basis for synthetic dyes.
- Any of various derivatives or substituted compounds based on this structure, including naturally occurring anthraquinones found in plants such as aloe and rhubarb.
"Many of the red and violet dyes used in textiles are derived from anthraquinone."
"The chemist oxidized anthracene to obtain anthraquinone, the key intermediate in producing alizarin."
"Senna's laxative effect comes from anthraquinone glycosides present in its leaves."
As a chemical name, the singular refers to the compound itself; the plural typically denotes different derivative compounds within the anthraquinone class, such as those occurring naturally in plants.
"Rhubarb roots contain several anthraquinones, including emodin and rhein."
The vivid red of madder-dyed fabric prized since antiquity traces back to alizarin — an anthraquinone dye that became the first natural dye ever synthesized in a laboratory.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anthraquinone
The word anthraquinone combines 'anthra-', from Greek 'anthrax' meaning coal or charcoal, with 'quinone', coined in the nineteenth century from 'quinic acid'. It reflects the compound's discovery as an oxidation product of anthracene, itself named for its origin in coal tar. Related terms sharing the same root include anthracite, anthrax, and anthracene.
How anthraquinone is actually used
Strictly technical vocabulary, confined to chemistry, pharmacology, and materials science; it does not appear in general conversation or literary prose. In industrial contexts 'anthraquinone' often refers collectively to the whole class of derivatives rather than only the parent compound.
Easily confused with anthraquinone
Anthracene is the parent hydrocarbon (C₁₄H₁₀) from which anthraquinone is derived by oxidation; anthraquinone has two carbonyl groups replacing two CH units at the central ring's 9- and 10-positions.