MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF KEROGENS BY MILD SELECTIVE CHEMICAL DEGRADATION - RUTHENIUM TETROXIDE OXIDATION

Molecular characterization of two kerogen isolates (Messel and Kimmeridge Clay), two kerogen-rich shales (Green River and Maoming) and a coal, (Loy Yang) was undertaken using selective chemical degradation with ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4). The RuO4 oxidation gave extracts which were soluble in dichloromethane and contained series of straight chain monocarboxylic acids, alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acids, branched mono- and dicarboxylic acids, isoprenoid and cyclic acids. Straight chain carboxylic acids were predominant (65-87% of quantified chromatogram components for the range of sedimentary organic matter studied), reflecting the major content of polymethylene chains in these kerogens. This mild, oxidative technique serves to differentiate kerogens at a molecular level, thereby supplementing existing conventional chemical, pyrolytic, n.m.r. and other techniques.