Fluorenol

Fluorenol is an alcohol derivative of fluorene. In the most significant isomer, fluoren-9-ol or 9-hydroxyfluorene, the hydroxy group is located on the bridging carbon between the two benzene rings. Hydroxyfluorene can be converted to fluorenone by oxidation. It is a white-cream colored solid at room temperature.

Toxicity

Fluorenol is toxic to aquatic organisms including algae, bacteria, and crustaceans. Fluorenol was patented as an insecticide in 1939, and is an algaecide against the green algae Dunaliella bioculata.

Its toxicity and carcinogenicity in humans are unknown.

Wakefulness-promoting agent

A study published by chemists working for the biopharmaceutical company Cephalon to develop a successor to the wakefulness-promoting agent (or eugeroic) modafinil reported that fluorenol, which is structurally related, was 39% more effective than modafinil at keeping mice awake over a 4-hour period. It is a weak dopamine reuptake inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of 9 μM, notably 59% weaker than modafinil (IC₅₀ = 3.70 μM) despite being a stronger wakefulness-promoting agent, potentially making it even less liable for addiction. It also showed no affinity for cytochrome P450 2C19, unlike modafinil.