Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds. The number of different organic compounds which are known is well over 1 million and these compounds vary in properties, economic importance and uses (e.g. dyes, plastics, man made fibres, fuels, drugs etc…)
The main sources of organic chemicals are:
- Natural Gas
- Crude Oil
- Coal
- Wood / Plants / Animals (Biomass)
Crude oil is one of the most important sources. It is a complicated mixture of different hydrocarbons which can be separated by fractional distillation. Hydrocarbons are compounds which contain carbon and hydrogen compounds only.