Determination of crystalline thermodynamics and behavior of anthracene in different solvents

To screen suitable solvents for anthracene crystallization, the solubilities of anthracene and metastable zone width were determined in four different solvents, N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), xylene, tetrachloroethylene, and diethylene glycol dimethyl ether from 30 to 80 °C at atmospheric pressure using a self-made crystallizer. The cooling modes, solvents, and the effects of carbazole on the solvent crystallization process of anthracene were also investigated. The composition of mother liquors and solid products were measured by gas chromatography; the solids were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, differential scanning calorimetry, granulometer, and fluorescence spectrometer. The results showed that a uniform anthracene crystal was obtained when using DMF under the forced circulation cooling mode. Solid solution of anthracene and carbazole was initially detected in solvent crystallization. The existence of carbazole in solution has an obvious effect on the crystal morphology of anthracene, to some extent, is beneficial to the crystal growth of anthracene. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J , 64: 2160–2167, 2018