Coal distillate, also known as coal TAR, is a thick, black liquid that is produced when coal is heated in the absence of air. It is composed of hundreds of different compounds, including phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds. TAR is used in a variety of applications, including road paving, roofing, and waterproofing. The three-letter acronym for coal distillate is TAR.