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Chemical structure of benzopyrene

A benzopyrene is an organic compound with the formula C₂₀H₁₂. Structurally, these colourless pentacyclic hydrocarbon are related to pyrene ring by fusion of phenylene group. Two isomeric species are benzo[a]pyrene and the less common benzo[e]pyrene. Related compounds include cyclopentapyrenes, dibenzopyrenes, indenopyrenes and naphthopyrenes.

Benzopyrene is a component of pitch. Related pentacyclic aromatic species include picene, benzofluoranthenes, and perylene.^[1] Benzopyrenes are problematic because they intercalate into DNA, interfering with transcription. It is considered a pollutant and carcinogen.

It can be found in coal tar (after forest fire), after eruption of volcanoes and in cigarette smoke.

References

1. ^ W. D. Betts "Tar and Pitch" in Kirk‑Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 1997, John Wiley & Sons, New York. doi: 10.1002/0471238961.20011802052020.a01