The polymerization and carbonization of coal tar was carried out at different temperatures from 633 to 1 873 K using aluminium trichloride as catalyst. The polymerization degree, microstructures and optical texture of samples were analyzed by thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and polarized light microscopy. Results indicated that aluminium trichloride accelerated dehydrogenation during the polymerization of coal tar, and increased the toluene-insoluble fraction and carbonization yield. The presence of aluminium trichloride in the polymerized coal tar affected the microstructure of the coke by the formation of a quasi-isotropic structure.