Effect of coal minerals on the thermal treatment of aromatic ethers and carbonyl compounds

To elucidate the effect of mineral matter in coal on coal liquefaction, the thermal decomposition of some model compounds of coal structure, aromatic ethers and carbonyl compounds, has been carried out in tetralin solvent and in the presence of coal ash obtained by low temperature combustion. The conversion of benzyl phenyl ether and dibenzyl ether was considerably enhanced; alkylated products such as benzyltetralin were obtained. The conversion of phenoxyphenanthrene and phenoxynaphthalene also was increased to some extent in the presence of coal ash. These effects can be attributed to the acidic components of coal minerals, because silica-alumina has shown the same effect, which is suppressed by quinoline. The addition of coal ash increases the yield of hydrocarbon from the corresponding aromatic carbonyl compounds by reduction. This effect is attributable to iron sulphide.