Introduction of the fluorene

Fluorene, a tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, contains a five-membered ring. It is a major component of fossil fuels and their derivatives and is also a byproduct of coal-conversion and energy-related industries. It is commonly found in vehicle exhaust emissions, crude oils, motor oils, coal and oil combustion products, waste incineration, and industrial effluents. Fluorene is one of the compounds on the EPA Priority Pollutants List. This naphthenoaromatic compound bears structural relationships to other chemicals of concern (carbazoles, dibenzothiophenes, dibenzofurans, and dibenzodioxins) and is thus a useful model for biodegradation studies.