A method of preparing a synthetic fuel from coal comprising applying to the coal an aqueous emulsion of one or more reactive polymers and thoroughly mixing the coal to yield a complete reaction of the coal with the reactive polymers, wherein the reactive polymers are selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers, poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymers, poly(vinyl acetate), vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymers, poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/ethylene), acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers and poly(acrylamide).