Naphthalene

A hydrocarbon produced from the distillation of coal tar, naphthalene is an aromatic, white, crystalline substance. Naphthalene sublimates at room temperatures. It is sold as an insect repellent in the form of moth balls, moth flakes, or moth blocks, and commonly used to repel clothes moths and dermestid beetles from woolen clothing. In fact, however, it also has insecticidal properties, and is a good fumigant for insect collections. Exposure to fumes should be minimized, however, as there is the possibility of toxicity in humans. A similar aromatic product, paradichlorobenzene, has replaced naphthalene is some cases.