Microwave-assisted hydroconversions of demineralized coal liquefaction residues (DCLRs) from Shenfu (SF) and Shengli coals were investigated using methanol or ethanol as the solvent for both reaction and extraction. The results show that the solubilities of hydroconverted DCLRs in methanol under 0.7 MPa of initial hydrogen pressure (IHP) follow the order: non-catalytic hydroconversion = activated carbon-catalyzed hydroconversion < Pd/C-catalyzed hydroconversion < Ni-catalyzed hydroconversion; the solubility of Ni-catalyzed hydroconverted DCLR from SF coal in methanol increases with raising temperature up to 140 degrees C and with increase in IHP; the solubility of Ni-catalyzed hydroconverted DCLR from SF coal in methanol under 0.7 MPa of IHP at 130 degrees C is higher than that in ethanol. The molecular compositions of the extractable fractions were analyzed with GC/MS and the structural features of some extractable and inextractable fractions were characterized with FTIR. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.