Identification of C2-C4 alkylated benzenes in flash pyrolysates of kerogens, coals and asphaltenes

Abstract

Pseudo-Kováts indices were determined for all positional isomers of C2-C4 alkylated benzenes using a non-polar capillary column (CP Sil-5). These indices were applied in combination with mass spectral data to identify these compounds in complex mixtures of a relatively non-polar nature generated upon flash pyrolysis of macromolecular sedimentary organic matter (kerogens, asphaltenes and coals). Alkylbenzene distribution patterns were constructed by integration of appropriate mass chromatograms. Generally, toluene is the major pyrolysis product. Other specific alkylated benzenes (e.g. 1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene and 1-methyl-4-isopropylbenzene) were found to be enhanced in flash pyrolysates of different samples. Flash pyrolysates of asphaltene and kerogen fractions isolated from the same oil shale exhibit similar alkylbenzene distributions.