What is pyrine?

Pyrene is an organic compound consisting of four fused benzene rings, giving it the molecular formula C16H10. It is a crystalline solid with a characteristic blue fluorescence. Pyrene is a member of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) family and is found in coal tar and petroleum. It is produced during incomplete combustion of organic matter and is a common component of outdoor air pollution. Pyrene is used in the production of dyes, and it is also used as a fluorescence indicator for DNA and in the manufacturing of semiconductors. It is considered to be a possible carcinogen.