The solubilisation of a Victorian brown coal in three ammonium carbamate ionic liquids (ILs) was studied.

Single step solubilisation yields of ILs were comparable to 1 M NaOH solution.

Total solubility of Loy Yang coal in DIMCARB at ambient temperature was 66.5%.

Less polar ILs DACARB and DPCARB were more selective for triterpenoid compounds.