What is "polychlorinated naphthalene"

n. (context organic chemistry English) Any of a range of compounds manufactured by treating naphthalene with chlorine; they have a variety of properties and uses.

Polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) are the products obtained upon treatment of naphthalene with chlorine. The generic chemical formula is C H Cl. Commercial PCNs are mixtures of up to 75 components and byproducts. The material is an oil or a waxy solid, depending on the degree of chlorination. PCNs were once used in insulating coatings for electrical wires, as well as other applications, but their use has been largely phased out.