The effect of the addition of various amines on catalytic and non-catalytic liquefaction of Indonesian Banko coal was studied. For non-catalytic liquefaction a significant increase in coal conversion to THF solubles was observed by the addition of the amines, and the increment in conversion is in the order, secondary aliphatic amine, tertiary aliphatic amine > primary aliphatic amine > aromatic amine. This order is that of the strength of their basicity. For catalytic liquefaction using pyrite the conversion was also increased by the addition of amines, and stronger basic tertiary aliphatic amines gave higher conversion than less basic primary aliphatic amines. The role of amines was considered to induce the higher loading of pyrite on coal surface by the preadsorption of the amine on the surface. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.