Hydrocarbon Any organic Compound composed solely of Carbon and Hydrogen . Hydrocarbons include aliphatic compounds, in which the carbon Atom s form a chain, and Aromatic Compounds, in which the carbon atoms form stable rings. Petroleum Distillation yields useful fractions that are hydrocarbon mixtures, e.g., Natural Gas , gasoline, kerosene, home heating Oil , lubricating oils, Paraffin , and asphalt.
Coal tar is also a source of hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbon derivatives contain additional Element s, e.g., Oxygen , and include alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and halocarbons.