Pyrene

This yellow-green solid is the smallest peri-fused PAH (one where the rings are fused through more than one face).

Pyrene undergoes a series of hydrogenation reactions and is susceptible to halogenation, Diels-Alder additions, and nitration, all with varying degrees of selectivity.

It has strong absorbance in UV-Vis in three sharp bands at 330 nm in DCM.

Its derivatives are also valuable molecular probes via fluorescence spectroscopy, having a high quantum yield and lifetime (0.65 and 410 nanoseconds, respectively, in ethanol at 293 K).

Certain emission bands are unaffected, but others vary in intensity due to the strength of interaction with a solvent.Pyrenes are strong electron donor materials and can be combined with several materials in order to make electron donor-acceptor systems which can be used in energy conversion and light harvesting applications.

[14] Although it is not as problematic as benzopyrene, animal studies have shown pyrene is toxic to the kidneys and liver.

Structural formula of pyrene
Ball-and-stick model of the pyrene molecule
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroform Flammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oil Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code
Diagram showing the numbering and ring fusion locations of pyrene according to IUPAC nomenclature of organic chemistry .