N-15 NMR data are reported for the Argonne Premium Coals. Arguments ar
e presented to explain discrepancies between observations and conclusi
ons obtained from NMR experiments and those obtained by XPS and XANES
techniques. Detectability of different types of nitrogens is discussed
in terms of cross-polarization dynamics together with the effects of
the large chemical shift anisotropy that is found in different types o
f nitrogen functional groups. Data on acid-treated coals confirm the p
resence of pyridinic type nitrogens that were not observed in a previo
us N-15 NMR study of coals.