Group separation and analysis of a carbon disulfide-soluble fraction from Shenfu coal by column chromatography

A carbon disulfide-soluble fraction (CDSSF) from Shenfu coal was separated into five fractions by silica-gel column chromatography using hexane and n-hexane/ethyl acetate binary eluent. The five fractions include four clear group fractions and a nonpolar fraction. All the fractions were analyzed by GC/MS. A total of 204 compounds were detected from the original CDSSF and its further separated fractions, with 173 compounds more than those detected by studying the original CDSSF directly. The results demonstrate a clear group separation by column chromatography in coal organic components and a more accessibility to coal components compared with the solvent extraction only.