NMR: A Powerful Tool in the Characterization of Coal Tar Pitch

The application of NMR to coal tar pitch (CTP) characterization provides valuable information about its structure. The DEPT sequence is revealed as a useful tool to identify the different carbon types of CTP components in 13 C NMR spectra. Consequently, chemical shift classifications can be established in an easy and accurate way for 13 C NMR spectra. The resulting spectral regions can be integrated and, hence, the CTP structure characterized. 1 H and 13 C NMR experiments are carried out and integration data calculated. From them, some relationships are defined and significant information about both the external and internal framework of CTP aromatic structures is obtained.