Oxidative degradation studies of coal and solvent refined coal

Aqueous sodium dichromate has been found to be a selective oxidant and numerous polyaromatic units, which resulted from the oxidation of a bituminous coal, have been reported. These products are believed to be indigenous to the coal. The effects of other oxidizing agents have been explored. Four coals and a solvent-refined coal have been subjected to oxidative degradation. Two completely abiotic samples, a synthetic Fischer-Tropsch polymer, and a polymer from the Murchison meteorite were used for comparison and to test the oxidation methods. In general, the oxidation products were carboxylic acids which were esterified by diazomethane to increase their volatility for mass spectrometry. Oxidants used were nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, photochemical oxidants, and sodium hypochlorite. 4 figures, 4 tables.