Question

Which of the following products obtained by destructive distillation of coal is not properly matched?
(A) Coal tar - dyes, explosives, paints
(B) Coal gas - fuel
(C) Coke- drinking purposes
(D) Ammoniacal liquor- fertilizers

Answer 1

Hint: Destructive distillation refers to the process by which unprocessed material is decomposed by heating it to a high temperature. It is generally the processing of organic molecules in the absence of air or in the presence of limited supply of air or in the presence of reagents or catalysts or solvents. The destructive distillation of coal is a major industrial application in the present time.

Complete step by step answer: Destructive distillation breaks up large molecules into many compounds of commercial importance. Let us check the given options one by one.
Coal tar is an important commercial product obtained by the destructive distillation of coal. It is a byproduct formed during the production of coke and coal gas from coal. It is used in medicated soaps, shampoo and ointments because of its anti-itch and anti-fungal properties. It is also used in sealing roads and in making paints and dyes. So, option A is correct.
Coal gas is also an important commercial product obtained by the destructive distillation of coal. It is a gaseous fuel and is produced from coal when coal is heated in absence of air. The byproducts of coal gas are coal tar and coke. So, option B is also correct.
Coke is another important commercial product obtained by the destructive distillation of coal. It is a smokeless fuel and is used to make syngas and producer gas and as a fuel and a reducing agent in steel manufacturing. So, option C is not correct.
Ammoniacal liquor is another important commercial product obtained by the destructive distillation of coal. It is used as a nitrogenous fertilizer. So option D is correct.

Only C does not match.

Note: Some other applications of destructive distillation include the destructive distillation of wood to produce tar, terpene along with charcoal. The destructive distillation of natural rubber led to the discovery of isoprene which paved the way for creation of synthetic rubbers like neoprene.