Finite, Nonrenewable Hydrocarbon Resources

Further transformation (functionalization) reactions include varied additions,41 car-bonylative conversions42 acylations,47 5 substitutions,43,46-50 oxidations,51-60 and reductions 61-69 Major petroleum refining operations are discussed in Chapter 2, whereas Chapters 4-13 discuss the chemistry of prototype hydrocarbon transformation reactions. 

Our oil and natural-gas reserves are finite and not renewable (except on a geologic timescale). The dire predication of the early 1970s following the first Arab oil crises that we will exhaust our oil reserves by the end of the twentieth century, turned out to be overly pessimistic. Our known oil reserves have, in fact, since doubled, and our gas reserves more than tripled2 (Table 1.7). 

If we take into account less accessible petroleum and gas reserves or those locked up in the form of tar sands, oil shale, or methane hydrates, our overall hydrocarbon reserves could be even 3-5 times higher. This would give us a century s supply, whereas our coal reserves may stretch to two or three centuries. Despite this more favorable outlook, it is necessary to point out the existing close relationship between our ever-increasing overall energy needs and our hydrocarbon sources essential in a technological society. 

Hydrocarbons are required in our modern-day life not only as energy sources, including convenient transportation fuels for our cars, tracks, airplanes (see Section 1.8.2) but also to produce commonly used products ranging from polymers to textiles to pharmaceuticals. At the beginning of the twenty-first century we can look back with substantial satisfaction at our technological and scientific achievements. We should, however, also realize that we continue to deplete the nonrenewable resources of our planet, particularly fossil fuels and hydrocarbons and at the same time create ecological and environmental problems. As mentioned earlier, dire predictions of the early exhaustion of our natural hydrocarbon sources by the 

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