Molecular structure of naphthalene and moth balls | Sources: NPIC, PubChem, Chennai Online Shopping

Naphthalene is a two-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), the simplest and most common member of its class, consisting of two fused benzene rings sharing two carbon atoms, giving a planar, fully conjugated aromatic structure, and with the molecular formula C₁₀H₈. It is best known industrially as an alternative feedstock to ortho-xylene for phthalic anhydride production and popularly as the classic ingredient in mothballs.

Naphthalene is produced industrially in large volumes from either coal tar (which contains roughly 10% naphthalene) or from petroleum hydrocarbon streams as a byproduct of catalytic cracking and reforming processes.

More than 60% of naphthalene's industrial use goes into producing phthalic anhydride (an intermediate for phthalate plasticizers used in PVC, polyurethane, and rubber products).

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