Seven bitumen fractions and seven pseudo-bitumen fractions (with partial hydrogenation of the residue) were separated from Yubari bituminous coal by extracting with benzene in autoclave followed by fractionation using ligroin, methanol, ether, acetone and CC14.The measurements were carried out for each fraction on melting-point, molecular weight, ultimate analysis, amount of radicals, iodine number, X-ray diffraction constants, magnetic susceptibility and ultra-violet absorption.The following points were emphasized from the results.(1) All bitu-mens are essentially identical with the residual humins.The possible differences would be in the manners of their existence.(2) The apparent molecular weights are different between the fractions, but composing units of molecular weight less than 350-400 are conceivable.(3) The units are of aromatic structure with conde-nsed rings varying from one to several, 3-4 rings in average, with alkylic peripheries as well as partially hydrogenated rings.(4) It is inferred that several units compose of a stable state of molecular weight larger than 1, 000.(5) Approxim-ately same amount of active phenolic hydroxyl radicals are contained in each fra ction.(6) The fractions contain more or less oxygen, which would bridge the units, forming apparent coal molecules.(7) The parts of the molecules stacking parallel appear to be recognized as “turbostratic” crystallites.
View full abstract