Examples involving carbon chemistry:

Petroleum

Petroleum is refined by fractional distillation. Successive distillations are carried out at increasingly higher temperatures. The distillate (the vapor that is condensed) is collected. The first fraction is richest in those components that have the lowest boiling points. The fractions include such substances as gasoline, kerosene, furnace oil, napthas, and lubricating oils.

 

Esters

To generate esters, an organic acid (like carboxylic acid) and alcohol are warmed in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, which acts as a catalyst. These esters often form the odor in flowers, perfumes, and synthetic flavors.

 

Soap and Detergents

Soap molecules have two ends with different properties. one end is a hydrocarbon which is soluble in fats (grease and dirt). The other end is a salt which is soluble in water. The hydrocarbon end sticks to oil and grease while the salt end sticks to water. The grease is broken up into small droplets surrounded by soap molecules, all of which can be washed away. Detergents work in a similar fashion. They also work well in hard water (water with dissolved minerals).

Polymers

Polymers are compounds made up of very large molecules that consist of repeating subunits called monomers. During polymerization monomers are added together to form long-chain polymers.