Introduction - Fundamentals of Industrial Chemistry: Pharmaceuticals, Polymers, and Business - page 3

Many of these chemicals are intertwined with each other. For example,
chlorine is coproduced with sodium hydroxide and is reacted with ethylene
to make ethylene dichloride, which in turn is used to make vinyl chloride.
Many of the organic chemicals are produced to make polymers. For example,
vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride. The upcoming chapters will
discuss these relationships and also the larger volume polymers.
The text is written for the student that would like to give their chemistry
classes some perspective and perhaps learn something about chemical
applications. The typical student will be a chemistry or chemical engineering
student with at least a couple of years of classes. It is written for the
upper-level undergraduate student or the first year graduate student. First or
second year employees in the chemical industry will also benefit from the text.
The text assumes the reader has taken general and organic chemistry.
Complete retention of everything from those courses is not assumed and
when a concept is introduced, the background is given. The purpose of the
text is to give the reader a general knowledge of several different aspects of
industrial chemistry. It is not intended to make the reader an instant expert
in a specific area. For example, reading the chapter on patents will give an
appreciation of the major requirements for patentability, some key concepts
and the importance of patents. It will also explain how to search patents
and what can be learned from the patent literature. It will not make the
reader ready to practice patent law nor be able to head the legal department.
However, the reader will be better able to interact with patent attorneys
and patent agents. Having a broad knowledge of several areas is also useful
because over a career, the reader's work is likely to evolve and include
increasing and broadened responsibilities.
REFERENCES
1. Melody Bomgardner, et al. Chemical and Engineering News 2013; 91(26):25 - 48.
2. Sophie Rovner. Chemical and Engineering News 2013; 91(38):10.
3. Alexander Tullo. Chemical and Engineering News 2011; 89(30):14.