The role of low-molecular-weight components in the pyrolysis of pitches

Two pitches of different volatile contents, obtained from the same coal tar by different procedures, were characterized by elemental analysis, solubility, 1H n.m.r., donor—acceptor ability, FT-i.r., extrography and size-exclusion chromatography. Their pyrolysis behaviour was followed by hot-stage microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The pitches were carbonized in a horizontal furnace and the resulting cokes were characterized by optical microscopy. Three partly devolatilized pitches were prepared by thermal treatment of the two pitches and their pyrolysis behaviour was compared in terms of mesophase development and optical texture of coke. The results indicate a significant influence of low-molecular-weight components of pitch on the development of mesophase but no effect on the subsequent optical texture of the coke.