Identification of long-chain 1,2-di-n-alkylbenzenes in Amposta crude oil from the Tarragona Basin, Spanish Mediterranean: Implications for the origin and fate of alkylbenzenes

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(91)90066-E· OSTI ID:5053681

Sinninghe Damste, J S; Kock-Van Dalen, A C; Leeuw, J.W. De ^[1]; Albrecht, P A ^[2]

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1. Delft Univ. of Technology (Netherlands)
2. Univ. Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg (France)

Homologous series of C{sub 15}-C{sub 40} 1,2-di-n-alkylbenzenes (with alkyl side chains containing 2 or more carbon atoms) were identified in the Amposta crude oil (Tarragona Basin, Spain). Structural assignments were confirmed by synthesis of the C{sub 18} members of this series. These 1,2-dialkylbenzenes in combination with monoalkylbenzenes and 2-alkyltoluenes dominate the alkylbenzene distribution in this immature' oil. This phenomenon lends support to the hypothesis that alkylbenzenes are formed in the subsurface by cyclization and aromatization reactions of linear, functionalized precursors. In other, more mature, oils other alkyltoluenes isomers are present as well and 1,2-dialkylbenzenes have not been reported. Isomerization reactions of initially formed 2-alkyltoluenes during catagenesis may lead to the formation of thermodynamically more stable isomers (i.e., ortho and para alkyltoluenes) encountered in these more mature crude oils.

• OSTI ID: 5053681
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States), Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States) Vol. 55:12; ISSN GCACA; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
023000* -- Petroleum-- Properties & Composition
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
CATAGENESIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
HYDROCARBONS
ISOMERIZATION
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
MINERAL RESOURCES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORIGIN
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
SEAS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SPAIN
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SURFACE WATERS
TOLUENE