idrocarburiche

Hydrocarbons, sometimes referred to as idrocarburiche in some languages, are organic compounds composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. They form the largest and most familiar class of compounds in chemistry and are the principal components of fossil fuels. They also serve as key feedstocks for the petrochemical industry, supplying the building blocks for many plastics, solvents, and synthetic materials.

Hydrocarbons are commonly classified into two broad groups: aliphatic and aromatic. Aliphatic hydrocarbons include alkanes (saturated single bonds), alkenes and alkynes (unsaturated, with double or triple bonds), and cycloalkanes (saturated rings). Aromatic hydrocarbons contain one or more benzene rings and include compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. Within aliphatic hydrocarbons, molecules can be straight-chain, branched, or cyclic. They range from gases at room temperature (e.g., methane) to viscous liquids and solids (e.g., long-chain alkanes).

Occurrence and production: Hydrocarbons occur naturally in crude oil, natural gas, and coal. They are obtained through extraction and refining of fossil resources, or synthesized industrially in petrochemical processes. The physical properties of hydrocarbons—volatility, density, and viscosity—depend largely on carbon number and structural features.

Uses and environmental aspects: The primary uses are fuels (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, natural gas) and chemical feedstocks for plastics, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. Combustion releases energy but also carbon dioxide and other pollutants; extraction and processing can impact ecosystems. Many hydrocarbons are flammable and require appropriate handling and safety measures.