Oil
What is Oil?
In chemistry, oils are hydrophobic, viscous liquid mixtures of organic compounds — primarily long-chain hydrocarbons, triglycerides (fatty acid esters of glycerol), or mineral hydrocarbons. Petroleum (crude oil) is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons refined into fuels and feedstocks for the petrochemical industry. Vegetable and animal oils are triglycerides with unsaturated fatty acid chains; they are used as foods, biodiesel feedstocks, lubricants, and in the synthesis of soaps and surfactants.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
In chemistry, oils are hydrophobic, viscous liquid mixtures of organic compounds — primarily long-chain hydrocarbons, triglycerides (fatty acid esters of glycerol), or mineral hydrocarbons. Petroleum (crude oil) is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons refined into fuels and feedstocks for the petrochemical industry. Vegetable and animal oils are triglycerides with unsaturated fatty acid chains; they are used as foods, biodiesel feedstocks, lubricants, and in the synthesis of soaps and surfactants.