The frothers of alcohol family (MIBC and Alpha-terpineol) were compared with polyglycol ethers (DF-1012) in terms of two phase characterization parameters like foamability, foam stability, surface activity and bubble size distribution. In this research, fundamental two phase frother characterization parameters were linked with three phase coal flotation behavior. The frothers are found to have a major impact on bubble size. It seems that frothers not only prevent bubble coalescence, but also, affect the bubble break-up process. DF-1012 is more efficient in preventing bubble coalescence and provides more stable and viscous foams compare to MIBC and Alpha-terpineol. The least surface-active frother, MIBC, produces the finest bubbles and the largest bubbles are observed when the most surface-active frother DF-1012 is used. DF-1012 is showing parallel (loop and coil) orientation at the air-water interface. DF-1012 is showing maximum frothing performance (max. retention time) and foam stability (max. collapse time) at all pH. DF-1012, Alpha-terpineol and MIBC are insensitive to solution pH. Two phase frother characterization indices and observations are well correlating with three phase flotation performance indices like selectivity, kinetics and size wise flotation efficiency. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.