Preliminary oxidation effect on the conversion of coal in the reaction with methanol and sodium hydroxide

Coals of different rank were oxidized with performic acid to the stage of regenerated humic acids. Both crude and oxidized coals were treated with methanol and sodium hydroxide at 350°C. The final products obtained from the oxidized coals showed higher degree of hydrogenation and solubilization as compared with the corresponding products from crude coals.