Petroleum is probably best known as a source for many important fuels, such as gasoline, kerosene, acetylene, and natural gas. However, many of the organic compounds that make up the complex mixture known as petroleum have another use. They are raw materials used in the production of a host synthetic products. These chemicals are known as petrochemicals. To a large extent, these petrochemicals are hydrocarbons. Some of these petrochemicals and the products into which they are made include ethylene (plastics, synthetic fibers, and anti-freeze), benzene (synthetic rubber, latex paints and paper coatings), propylene (drugs and detergents), and phenol (adhesives, perfumes, flavorings, and pesticides).

See Also

Fossil Fuels; Synthetic Fuels; Volatile Organic Compound