Hydrocarbons and their transformations play major roles in chemistry as raw materials and sources of energy. Diminishing petroleum supplies, regulatory problems, and environmental concerns constantly challenge chemists to rethink and redesign the industrial applications of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are ubiquitous ingredients of the chemical composition of the troposphere. While present as trace components, they make a major contribution toward the production of ozone and other oxidants such as peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and hydrogen peroxide (H202). Hydrocarbon Chemistry begins by discussing the general aspects of hydrocarbons, the separation of hydrocarbons from natural sources, and the synthesis from C1 precursors with recent developments for possible future applications. Carbon and Hydrogen: the two basic building units can be combined in a million different ways to give a plethora of fascinating organic compounds.