IR and NMR characterisation of extraction products of reductively deuteromethylated coals

Products of reductive methylation and deuteromethylation of two Polish coal s of different rank performed in the potassium/liquid ammonia system were s ubjected to extraction by dichloromethane. Spectral analysis of the extract s was made. A comparison of H-1 and H-2 NMR spectra indicated that the clea vage of C-C bonds in methylene bridges is of substantial importance for the fragmentation of the coal structure taking place under the effect of potas sium in liquid ammonia. This finding was confirmed by results of IR analysi s. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.