Abstract: Contrary to known alkylation of pitches, it is disclosed that pitches are modified with particular aromatically substituted and activated C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl groups. The resulting modified pitches are easily polycondensed and give high coking residues and good mesophase formation. This is achieved on the one hand by dispensing with catalysts, which can be only incompletely removed from the pitch and, on the other hand, by employing reactive short chain alkyl aromatic compounds.

Abstract: Coal tar oil is separated quantitatively into neutral oil, phenols and bases by a two stage extraction with overcritical gases. Carbon dioxide is employed as an overcritical extraction agent, and propane or butane are preferably added as entrainers. The neutral oil is obtained in the first stage. Tar bases can be employed as an additional entrainer for improving the selectivity. The bases are extracted in the second stage. The method is associated with the advantage that it saves energy and that no byproducts are generated.

Abstract: The catalytic dehydrogenation of piperidine to pyridine in the gas phase using hydrogen as the carrier gas is carried out with a silicon dioxide carrier activated with copper, nickel and chromium as the catalyst, the metals copper, nickel and chromium being present in an amount of 5-12:1-5:0.1-<0.7 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of catalyst. The optimum hydrogen/piperidine molar ratio is 5:1, and purified and dried conversion gas from the dehydrogenation reaction is preferably recycled and used as the hydrogen.

Abstract: A process is described for bringing ground coal or similar carbon-containing raw materials into solution with aromatic solvents under elevated pressure and at elevated temperature. The solvents used are high-aromatic residues obtained from the pyrolysis of petroleum fractions, having an average boiling point of above 380.degree. C., and/or high-aromatic distillates from the pressure/heat treatment of coal tar pitch, having an average boiling point of above 380.degree. C., as well as from 5 to 30% of aromatic products or mixtures of aromatic products, having a boiling point of below 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of hydrogenated aromatic compounds and mixtures thereof by thermal treatment of aromatic oils or mixtures, derived from coal or petroleum, wherein the improvement over the prior art resides in thermally treating aromatic oils of boiling range 280.degree.-450.degree. C., with residues from the processing of liquid coal conversion products and/or petroleum refining, for up to 10 hours in a temperature region between 200.degree. and 380.degree. C. and at a pressure of maximum 15 bar, with good inter-mixing of the reaction components, and thereafter separating the products by distillation from the pitch-like residue.

Abstract: A process for the production of a highly aromatic pitch-like hydrocarbon by disintegration of comminuted coal or similar carbonaceous raw material with hydrocarbon mixtures as solvent at elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Upgrading coke quality of coals by adding a pitch-like product with a softening point (K-S) of 90.degree.-160.degree. C. to the coal. The additive is obtained by treating finely divided coal or other carbon containing raw material with hydrocarbon solvents derived from coal and petroleum and then removing 2-20% of the light boiling components of the highly aromatic pitch-like product.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of high grade carbonaceous binders, wherein an aromatic high grade carbonaceous material is produced from 5-40% by weight of reduced or low ash coal or similar carbon containing raw materials by treatment with 20-80% by weight of high-boiling aromatic solvents, derived from coal, and 15-50% by weight of high-boiling aromatic solvents, derived from mineral oil, at temperatures of 300.degree.-420.degree. C. and for a reaction period of 1-4 hours, at a reaction pressure of up to 50 bar, and is optionally freed from low-boiling components.

Abstract: Quinoline-insoluble components are separated from coal tar pitch by treating the coal tar pitch which has a softening point of greater than 60.degree. C. (according to the method of Kraemer-Sarnow) with a solvent mixture comprising at least one solvent with paraffinic characteristics and at least one tar solvent, wherein the treatment is carried out at a temperature in the range of 200.degree. to 270.degree. C.