Coking reaction in hydrogenation

Asphaltene prepared from a Japanese coal (Akabira, 81.2 wt% C) and coal tar pitch were heat treated under nitrogen or hydrogen. Under nitrogen the initial thermal decomposition produced radicals which abstracted hydrogen from other molecules to stabilize and to produce smaller molecules and gas. The molecules from which hydrogen was abstracted as well as other radicals polycondensed to produce heavier solvent-insoluble fractions. Under hydrogen the radicals were stabilized by hydrogen gas to produce smaller molecules avoiding the production of a heavier fraction. The higher the hydrogen pressure, the smaller was the yield of heavier fraction and the larger the yield of lighter fraction. Higher temperature accelerated the production of the heavier fraction. Donor solvents could reduce the production of the heavier fraction.