REACTION-MECHANISM OF ALKALI-ALCOHOL TREATMENT OF COAL

Taiheiyo coal was reacted with ethanol-sodium hydroxide at 260-400°C for 1-22 hours. The products dissolved almost completely in pyridine. Structural analysis was carried out for the pyridine soluble part to elucidate the reaction mechanism. The only change was a reduction in molecular weight. A very slight saturation reaction of aromatic rings also took place, but this did not affect the structural image of the products very much. The main reaction may be splitting of ether linkages resulting in the reduction of molecular weight and at higher temperature dehydration has followed. This somewhat reduced the solubility in pyridine. © 1979.