蒽酮(C₁₄H₁₀O)，无色针状结晶体。熔点为155℃，溶于大多数有机溶剂和热氢氧化钠溶液，不溶于水。无荧光，所出现的荧光是由蒽酚所致。可用于有机合成，用于糖和动物体液中淀粉的比色测定。由蒽醌经下列反应得到:将104g蒽醌、100g锡粒、750ml冰醋酸混合加热至沸，再逐次加入浓盐酸250ml（相对密度为1.19），约2h加完，此时蒽醌应全部溶于反应液中，否则，需补加锡粒和盐酸。再回流1.5h，脱色过滤，滤液用100ml水稀释，冷却至10℃，析出蒽酮结晶，过滤，用水洗使pH=7而得粗晶，干重80g。粗品可用丙酮或苯和石油醚（3：1）混合液重结晶，可得熔点为154-155℃的蒽酮约60g。

Anthrone is a tricyclic aromatic ketone. It is used for a popular cellulose assay and in the colorometric determination of carbohydrates. The anthrones are used in pharmacy as laxative. They stimulate the motion of the colon and are responsible for less water reabsorption. They may only be used for a short amount of time, because long time use may lead to loss of electrolytes. Anthrones are gained from rhamus frangula, rhamnus purshiana, aloe feroxx, rheum officinale, cassia senna, cassia angustifolia, etc...