Abstract: A method of making a compound selected from metal and silicon carbides and nitrides includes the steps of providing a solution of a coal-derived material in a solvent, the coal-derived material having a composition, free of solvent, of 70 to 91 percent by mass of carbon, 2 to 6 percent by mass of hydrogen and 3 to 20 percent by mass of oxygen, and a source of an oxide of silicon or the metal, causing the coal-derived material in solution and the source of the oxide to interact, removing the solvent to form a precursor and heat treating the precursor to produce the compound.

Abstract: A method of making a compound selected from metal and silicon carbides and nitrides includes the steps of providing a solution of a coal-derived material in a solvent, the coal-derived material having a composition, free of solvent, of 70 to 91 percent by mass of carbon, 2 to 6 percent by mass of hydrogen and 3 to 20 percent by mass of oxygen, and a source of an oxide of silicon or the metal, causing the coal-derived material in solution and the source of the oxide to interact, removing the solvent to form a precursor and heat treating the precursor to produce the compound.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon fiber includes the steps of providing a solution of a coal-derived material in a solvent, typically dimethylformamide, adding polyethylene oxide having a molecular weight of at least 3.times.10.sup.6 daltons to the solution to provide a spinning solution, spinning the spinning solution into a fiber and causing the fiber to gel, typically by contacting it with a gelling solvent. The coal-derived material will have a composition, free of solvent, of 70 to 91 percent by mass of carbon, 2 to 6 percent by mass of hydrogen and 3 to 20 percent by mass of oxygen.