Naphthalene is also known as napthene, naphthalin, camphor tar, and white tar. Actually, the tar bit is not out of line even if it makes little sense right now. This is because naphthalene is an important compound of coal tar. As such, it’s produced via crystallization from condensed coal tar and from cracked (broken-up) petroleum. It crystallizes into a white solid with a very noticeable coal-tar odor. Now you know why it smells so bad. This is also where it gets the name white tar from, given its color and where it’s derived from. It’s called camphor tar as well because it can be found in cork samples from camphor trees. Napthalene is denser than water but doesn’t mix with water. It can be set on fire, but it’s hard to ignite. Its melting point is 80.2 degrees C, and its boiling point is 217.9 degrees C. It has a molecular weight of 128.174 g/mol. Formula & Structure