Fractionation and structural characterization of coal liquids

A method of characterizing coal liquids in terms of fractions of different chemical functionality is described. This method is based on Chromatographic fractionation of both benzene-soluble and pyridine-soluble components by sequential elution with specific solvents on silica gel columns (SESC). The paper presents the theoretical criteria for choosing the conditions and the sequence of elution solvents, the methods used to establish the chemical structure, and model compound comparisons.