This study detailed the sulfur removal from Illinois No. 6 bituminous coal through reductive carboxylation in absolute ethanol. Maximum desulfurization (68%) occurred at 300 degrees C using 10 g of sodium hydroxide, 500 mt of ethanol, and 10 g of 250/325 Tyler mesh coal. Sulfur removal increased with an increase in reaction temperature, lower base concentration (10 g vs 20 g of NaOH), and the use of carbon dioxide. The improved desulfurization of reactions which used carbon dioxide was the result of selective carboxylation of organosulfur compounds. The mass recovery of original coal samples ranged from 77% to 91%, with the lower values occurring at higher temperatures. Conversely, heat content values increased as the temperature was increased. Elemental and infrared analyses revealed that hydrogenation and loss of C-O functional groups, as opposed to solvent incorporation, were the main causes. Elemental analyses of selected residues (acid-washed, moisture-free : AWMF) and acids recovered from basic solutions indicated that hydrogenation of coal had occurred. The degree of hydrogenation was found to increase with reaction temperature. The O/C ratios of black acids were higher than those of AWMF residues, which supported the theory that carboxylic acids were removed from the products. Most of the sulfur that was removed from the coal samples remained soluble in water and was not recovered. Solubilization occurred through a displacement reaction with sodium and through demineralization in 10% hydrochloric acid. The remaining sulfur was either lost during product separation or recovered in the acid fraction. The acid fractions were formed from carboxylation of organic precursors, some of which contained sulfur.