Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Louis Matty, Jr

Lawrence B Ebert

Anionic grafting of olefinic monomers onto coal substrates is disclosed. The process comprises grafting polymeric side chains onto coal by contacting coal with a covalently bonded alkyl or aryl alkali metal initiator to generate carbon-alkali metal bonds and then reacting these bonds with an olefinically unsaturated monomer for a time sufficient to produce a grafted coal product having polymeric side chains bonded to the coal. The resulting coal grafts evidence enhanced solubility in organic solvents, and liquids derived from the coal grafts evidence reduced sulfur content.

Growing community of inventors

East Brunswick, NJ, United States of America

Louis Matty, Jr