Book description
An essential introduction to the organic chemicals industry-in the
context of globalization, advances in technology, and environmental concerns
Providing 95 percent of the 500 billion pounds of organic chemicals
produced in the world, the petroleum and natural gas industries are
responsible for products that ensure our present quality of life.
Products as diverse as gasoline, plastics, detergents, fibers,
pesticides, tires, lipstick, shampoo, and sunscreens are based on
seven raw materials derived from petroleum and natural gas. In an
updated and expanded Third Edition, Industrial Organic
Chemicals examines why each of these chemical building
blocks-ethylene, propylene, C4 olefins (butenes and butadiene),
benzene toluene, the xylenes, and methane-is preferred over another in
the context of an environmental issue or manufacturing process, as
well as their individual chemistry, derivatives, method of
manufacture, uses, and economic significance.
The new edition details the seismic shifts in the world's chemistry
industry away from the United States, Western Europe and Japan,
transforming the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region, especially
China, into major players. The book also details:
- The impact of globalization on the patterns of worldwide
transportation of chemicals, including methods of shipping chemicals
- The technological advances in the area of polymerization and
catalysis, including catalyst design and single-site catalysts
- Chemicals for electronics, with much new material on conducting
polymers, photovoltaic cells, and related materials
- The discovery of vast reserves of shale gas and shale oil,
altering long-term predictions of resource depletion in the United
States and other countries
- Commercial and market aspects of the chemical industry, with
coverage of emerging new companies such as INEOS, Formosa Plastics,
LyondellBasell, and SABIC
With expanded coverage on the vital role of green chemistry,
renewables, chemicals and fuels on issues of sustainability and
climate change, Industrial Organic Chemicals offers an
unparalleled examination of what is at the heart of this multi-billion
dollar industry, how globalization has transformed it, and its ever
growing role in preserving the Earth and its resources.
HAROLD A. WITTCOFF has taught industrial organic chemistry at
the University of Minnesota, while serving as Vice President of
Corporate Research for General Mills Inc. As scientific adviser to
Nexant ChemSystems, he has presented 300 courses in industrial
chemistry in twenty-eight countries.
The late BRYAN G. REUBEN was Professor Emeritus of Chemical
Technology at London South Bank University, and was the author or
coauthor of 130 publications and a single patent.
JEFFREY S. PLOTKIN is Vice President, Chemicals and Technology,
at Nexant ChemSystems and is the author or coauthor of twenty-five
technical publications and thirty patents.
