Molecular models of coal's organic matter and the reflectance of the macerals: A review

The mean reflectance Ro,n of vitrinite and other macerals in coal whose structure is represented by molecular chemical models may be calculated on the basis of the contributions of structural-chemical groups to the molecular refraction, if the relation between the reflection, refraction, and absorption is taken into account on the basis of the Fresnel-Beer law. The findings confirm the relation between the reflectance Ro,n and the chemical structure of the coal macerals. Consequently, reliable analysis of the possible chemical transformations in coal may be based on molecular models of the structure. © 2012 Allerton Press, Inc.