The First Liquefaction of High‐Rank Bituminous Coals by Preceding Hydrogenation with Homogeneous Borane or Iodine Catalysts

In view of escalating oil prices, new processes are needed for the conversion of coal to liquid fuels. The first “real” coal hydrogenation in the sense of hydrogen addition to unsaturated CC bonds enables the liquefaction of high-rank bituminous coals, which up to now could be processed only by combustion or gasification.