1. a white crystalline compound derived from coal tar, used in mothballs and as a raw material for dyes and plastics
Usage: chemistry

Examples

• The strong smell of naphthalene filled the closet where the mothballs were stored.
• Naphthalene is commonly used in the production of certain dyes.
• The chemical formula for naphthalene is C10H8.
• Old-fashioned mothballs contain naphthalene as their active ingredient.
• The laboratory synthesized naphthalene from coal tar derivatives.
• Naphthalene crystals sublime directly from solid to gas at room temperature.