A liquid hydrocarbon obtained from fractional distillation of coal tar that is used in the pharmaceutical industry is

Benzene is a liquid hydrocarbon that is obtained from the fractional distillation of coal tar, and it is extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry. Let me break this down for you:

• **Fractional Distillation:** This is a process used to separate a mixture into its component parts, or fractions, based on differences in boiling points. Coal tar, a byproduct of coal processing, contains a myriad of compounds, and fractional distillation helps isolate specific hydrocarbons like benzene.
• **Benzene:** It is a simple aromatic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C₆H₆. Benzene has a unique ring structure that makes it a crucial starting material or intermediate in **pharmaceutical synthesis.**
• **Uses in Pharmaceuticals:** Benzene is used to synthesize various medicinal compounds. It acts as a building block to create more complex molecules necessary for **drug manufacturing.**

That's why benzene plays an important role in the pharmaceutical industry, making it a highly valued product obtained through the distillation of coal tar.