Detailed characterization of coal-derived liquids from direct coal liquefaction on supported catalysts

► New analytical data on a coal liquid obtained from direct coal liquefaction. ► We fractionate the coal liquid in four cuts in order to analyze them with the appropriate technique. ► GC × GC-MS and HT-GC × GC evidenced the high aromaticity of distillate and VGO cuts. ► Heteroelements are mainly in the heaviest fractions. ► The distillate cut contains high amount of normal-paraffins.