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U.S. Department of Energy
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Studies of metal ammonia interactions with aromatic substrates: Progress report, January 1, 1988--December 31, 1988

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6944984

Our chief accomplishment have dealt with fundamental research in the areas of metalammonia reduction of aromatics and polynuclear aromatics, and the conformational analysis of hydroaromatics. This work relates to coal science in that the compounds studied may serve as models for coal itself. The dissolving metal reduction of coal has attracted considerable attention since the initial reductive alkylation experiments by Sternberg demonstrated substantial solubility enhancements by this method. Several of the processes involved are related to our previous and current work. They are (1) reduction of aromatic rings, (2) incorporation of alkyl groups, (3) cleavage of certain carbon-carbon bonds, (4) cleavage of diaryl and aryl/alkyl ethers, and (5) alkylation of phenoxides. In addition, hydroaromatics (which are common products of metalammonia reduction) have received renewed attention since they serve an important role as hydrogen donors during coal gasification and liquefaction. This may be accomplished by the addition of hydroaromatics to the coal or by hydroaromatics units actually present in the coal structure itself.

Research Organization:
Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ., Indianapolis (USA). Dept. of Chemistry
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-85ER13327
OSTI ID:
6944984
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/13327-3; ON: DE89003360
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English