In the commercial extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from coal tar, which specific fraction yields — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

During the fractional distillation of coal tar, the 'light oil' fraction, which distills between $80^\circ C$ and $170^\circ C$, is rich in lower molecular weight aromatics. It yields mostly benzene ($60-65\%$), toluene, and xylenes. Middle oil primarily gives naphthalene and phenols.