 |
|
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| • HOME • ABOUT • CATEGORIES • USE OF TEXT AND IMAGES • NEWSLETTER   
|
coal tar
A dense, black, viscous, volatile liquid produced by the destructive distillation of coal; coke and coal gas are other products. Fractional distillation of coal tar produces a wide variety of industrially important substances. These include asphalt and creosote, a wood preservative; also various oils used as fuels, solvents, preservatives, lubricants (see lubrication), and disinfectants. Specific chemicals that can be isolated include benzene, toluene, xylene, phenol, pyridine, naphthalene, and anthracene – the main source for the pharmaceutical and oter chemical industries.
Related categories
• INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Also on this site:
Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History