Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Preparation of Authigenic Pyrite from Methane-bearing Sediments for In Situ Sulfur Isotope Analysis Using SIMS
Published on: August 31, 2017
Research on the Composition and Distribution of Organic Sulfur in Coal
Lanjun Zhang1,2, Zenghua Li3,4, Yongliang Yang5,6
1Key Laboratory of Coal Methane and Fire Control, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China. junjunzhang11@163.com.
Abstract:
The structure and distribution of organic sulfur in coals of different rank and different sulfur content were studied by combining mild organic solvent extraction with XPS technology. The XPS results have shown that the distribution of organic sulfur in coal is related to the degree of metamorphism of coal. Namely, thiophenic sulfur content is reduced with decreasing metamorphic degree; sulfonic acid content rises with decreasing metamorphic degree; the contents of sulfate sulfur, sulfoxide and sulfone are rarely related with metamorphic degree. The solvent extraction and GC/MS test results have also shown that the composition and structure of free and soluble organic sulfur small molecules in coal is closely related to the metamorphic degree of coal. The free organic sulfur small molecules in coal of low metamorphic degree are mainly composed of aliphatic sulfides, while those in coal of medium and high metamorphic degree are mainly composed of thiophenes. Besides, the degree of aromatization of organic sulfur small molecules rises with increasing degree of coalification.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Sulfur Cycle
Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle
Sulfur Assimilation
Structure and Nomenclature of Thiols and Sulfides
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Organic Compounds

