Oxidation of Shenfu Coal with RuO₄ and NaOCl

Shenfu coal (SFC) oxidation with RuO₄ and NaOCl were studied and compared. Most of organic matter in SFC was converted into soluble species with either of the oxidants. Benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCAs) and alkanoic acids (AAs) are the main products from the reactions. The products from SFC oxidation with RuO₄ are rich in long-chain AAs, whereas those with NaOCl predominantly consist of chloro-substituted short-chain AAs and BPCAs. The related reaction mechanisms are discussed according to the experimental results.