Atomic emission detection (AED) is a convenient method for the selective detection of oxygen-containing polycyclic aromatic compounds (C-PAC), especially furan derivatives, in the gas chromatographic (CC) analysis of coal-derived oils, although the specific response for oxygen compounds is much less than those of compounds detected from carbon emission. The use of very high purity helium as CC carrier gas is preferred, since interferences are fewer; sensitivity is improved by optimisation of cavity and transfer line temperatures. The variation of response factor with mass chromatographed is linear in the working range, but is not compound independent for O-PAC. Applications are shown of the use GC-AED in the analysis of benzo-, dibenzo- and benzonaphthofurans at low concentration in coal liquids. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.