The effect of a Lewis acid addition to a coking coal on the porosity and reactivity towards steam of the resulting iron enriched coal chars are studied. GIC (FeCl3 graphite intercalation compound) or free FeCl3 are used as iron containing additives. Coal iron enrichment was performed using either directly FeCl3 in vapour phase, or by mixing of coal and additives in decaline or by common grinding of coal and additives under argon. Iron enriched coals were carbonized at 750 degrees C (heating rate = 5 degrees C min) and activation made with pure steam at 800 degrees C to a burn-off of 50 wt%. The pore structures of coal chars before and after activation were evaluated on the basis of CO2 and C6H6 sorption at 25 degrees C. A significant development of the microporosity is observed in the iron enriched char before activation and its steam reactivity is also increased. After activation, BET surface area values are increased in presence of iron, and porosity is mainly microporous.