Mark R. Bruce

Superacid coal chemistry: 1. HF:BF3 catalysed depolymerization—ionic hydroliquefaction of coals under mild conditions

Abstract HF:BF 3 :H 2 catalysed depolymerization and hydroliquefaction of coal was studied. This superacidic system was found to be extremely effective for low temperature liquefaction of coal. Illinois No. 6 coal could be solubilized in pyridine to the extent of > 90% by treating it at ≈ 105 °C for 4 h. Under somewhat more elevated temperature (150–170 °C) cyclohexane extractabilities of up to 22% and distillability of up to 28% is achieved. A hydrogen donor solvent such as isopentane is shown to improve the efficiency of the superacidic catalyst for the conversion of coal to cyclohexane soluble products.

Superacid coal chemistry. 3. Electrophilic substitution of coals under ‘stable ion’ conditions and the conversion of functionalized coals with the HF:BF3:H2 liquefaction system☆

Abstract Electrophilic ethylation and nitration of Illinois No. 6 coal was carried out using CH 3 CH 2 F : SbF 5 in SO 2 at −40 °C and NO + 2 BF − 4 in trimethylphosphate solution at room temperature, respectively. The effect of these substituents on the reactivity of coal under the HF:BF 3 :H 2 coal liquefaction system was studied. Ethylation increases the susceptibility of coal to this superacidic catalyst system while nitration is found to decrease the extent of depolymerization of coal.

Cationic modification of polystyrene

This paper concerns the cationic modification of polystyrene by the electophilic substitution of polystyrene with S-methylthiocarbcxonium.The substitution is quantitative and gives poly p-(methylthio) carbonylstyrene. After hydrolysis and purification poly (p-carboxystyrene is obtained. The polymers are formed without degradation after this cationic modification.