Naphthalene is formerly important in dyestuff manufacture. It acts as a precursor to phthalic anhydride. Naphthalene is used in the manufacturing of phthalic anhydride, naphthalene sulfonic acids and hydrogenated naphthalenes such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, which is used as a precursor for various dyestuffs, pigments, rubber processing chemicals and in pharmaceuticals. Its molten form is used as solvent replacing the high- boiling solvents like dichlorobenzene, nitrobenzene and durene. It is involved as reaction medium for in the Diels-Alder reaction between C₆₀ with anthracene.

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