Molecular weight distribution,analytical and spectroscopic characterization of humic fractions sequentially isolated by organic solvents from a brown coal humic acid

A sequential fractionation procedure employing a series of selected mild organic solvents of different polarity has been applied for the isolation of chemically different organic fractions from a brown coal humic acid. Elemental composition, molecular weight distribution, i.r. and electron spin resonance analysis were carried out on the isolated humic fractions. They were characterized by: (a) a low polydispersity, (b) a decreasing aliphatic and increasing aromatic character along the series, (c) very different molecular weight which significantly correlated with E₄/E₆ ratios (particle aggregation and molecular association) and free radical concentrations (chemical and biochemical activity). Significant correlations were found between physico-chemical parameters of the isolated humic fractions, i.e. M_n, M_w, E₄/E₆ ratios, spins/g contents and the dielectric constants of the solvents used. This suggested the efficiency of the applied procedure in isolating chemically different organic fractions from the bulk, original humic acid.