Anthracene: chromatographic purification

Has been purified by co-distillation with ethylene glycol (boils at 197.5°), from which it can be recovered by additn of water, followed by crysm from 95% EtOH, benzene, toluene, a mixture of benzene/xylene (4 1), or EtjO. It has also been chromatographed on alumina with pet ether in a dark room (to avoid photo-oxidation of adsorbed anthracene to anthraquinone). Other purification methods include sublimation in a N2 atmosphere (in some cases after refluxing with sodium), and recrystd from toluene [Gorman et al. J Am Chem Soc 107 4404 1985]. 

Benz[a]anthracene [56-55-3] M 228.3, m 159-160". Crystd from MeOH, EtOH or benzene (charcoal), then chromatographed on alumina from sodium-dried benzene (twice), using vacuum distn to remove benzene. Final purification was by vacuum sublimation. 

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