system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: why can't we produce synthetic gasoline ?

We are able to make complex molecules in labs, so what's the reason for this ?

Edit : I know it wouldn't be a leap toward ecology, just wondering if it has been done and how. There is surely a powerful lobby which could benefit from such a technology.
gpt
In addition to the cost involved, it's important to remember that gasoline is a molecule that can be burned to release energy. In order to create that molecule you have to put an equal amount of energy into it. That energy is stored in the form of chemical bonds. So burning the fuel breaks up the bonds and releases energy. But to create the fuel, you would have to put those bonds together, which means putting energy into it. If it's not biofuel then that energy would have to come from some other conventional source. Since our technology is not flawless, creating the conventional source of energy results in a net loss. Meaning that more energy is put into a power plant than comes out.     
   
So to create gasoline with a conventional power plant we would have net energy loss.