Catalytic Synthesis of Chemicals from Coal

Abstract While the oil and gas needed for the production of chemicals in the United States is only a small percentage of the total oil and gas consumed, the manufacture and use of chemicals from these hydrocarbons has a tremendous impact on the economy of the country. A study by A. D. Little, Inc. [1] in 1973 showed that the impact of a 15% decline in production of organic chemicals could result via a “multiplier” effect in a loss of over 1,700,000 jobs and a $65 to 70 billion loss in the production value of goods. One need only look around to see how pervasive and ubiquitous chemicals from petroleum products are in everyday life; our clothes, our food (fertilizers), all sorts of polymers, plastics, drugs and medicinal, tires, tubing, building materials, automobile interiors-the list is long and verge important to the economic health and growth of the country.