The hydroconversion of coal solids is accomplished at conversion conditions by bringing coal solids, molecular hydrogen and catalyst solids into contact in a reactor. The catalyst solids are comprised of catalytically active substance containing molybdenum on an alumina support material. The catalyst solids are in the size range between 3 and 200 mesh U.S. Sieve Series and have a pore volume of at least 0.015 milliliter (STP) per gram and an accessible pore distribution such that at least 50 percent of the pores are greater than 1,100 angstroms.