Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is being used to provide understanding of the organic structure of coals and coal thermal decomposition products. The research has developed a relationship between the coal organic structure and the products of thermal decomposition. The work has also led to the discovery that many of the coal structural elements are preserved in the heavy molecular weight products (tar) released in thermal decomposition and that careful analysis of these products in relation to the parent coal can supply clues to the original structure. Quantitative FTIR spectra for coals, tars and chars are used to determine concentrations of the hydroxyl, aliphatic and aromatic hydrogen. Concentrations of aliphatic carbon are computed using an assumed aliphatic stoichiometry; aromatic carbon concentrations are determined by difference. The values are in good agreement with date determined by13C and proton NMR. Analysis of the solid produ ts produced by successive stages in the thermal decomposition provides information on the changes in the chemical bonds occurring during the process. Time resolved infrared scans (129 msec/scan) taken during the thermal decomposition provide data on the amount, composition and rate of evolution of light gas species. The relationship between the evolved light species and their sources in the coal is developed by comparing the rate of evolution with the rate of change in the chemical bonds. With the application of these techniques, a general kinetic model has been developed which relates the products of thermal decomposition to the organic structure of the parent coal.