The occurrence and identification of series of organic sulphur compounds in oils and sediment extracts. I. A study of Rozel Point Oil (U.S.A.)

Abstract

A number of novel series of organic sulphur compounds (OSC) have been identified in several oils and sediment extracts including Rozel Point Oil (Box Elder County, Utah, U.S.A.; Miocene). This oil contains these series in abundance, and the OSC were therefore studied in detail. The “aromatic” fraction was fractionated using column chromatography, and the fractions obtained were analyzed by GC with simultaneous FID and FPD detection and by GC-MS. Series of isoprenoid thiophenes, isoprenoid thiolanes. isoprenoid bithiophenes, isoprenoid thienylthiolanes, isoprenoid benzothiophenes, thiophene and thiolane steranes, 2,5-di- n-alkylthiolanes, 2,6-di- n-alkylthianes and 2,4-di- n-alkylbenzo(b)thiophenes have been identified. The identifications were based on Chromatographic and mass spectral data, response on the FPD, carbon skeleton determination by desulphurization and in some cases on mass spectral data from, and coinjections with, synthetic compounds. Together, almost 1000 OSC have been identified in the “aromatic” fraction of this oil. Because the carbon skeletons of the OSC identified have the same structures as the well known hydrocarbons from geological materials (isoprenoid hydrocarbons, steranes, n-alkanes) these compounds are thought to be products of sulphur incorporation reactions into specific precursors.