Sulphur-bound steroid and phytane carbon skeletons in geomacromolecules: Implications for the mechanism of incorporation of sulphur into organic matter

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(93)90414-R· OSTI ID:6160394

Kohnen, M E.L.; Sinninghe Damste, J S; Baas, M; Kock-Van Dalen, A C; Leeuw, J.W. de ^[1]

---

1. Delft Univ. of Technology (Netherlands)

Sulphur-bound steroid and phytane moieties in macromolecules present in the polar fractions of six immature samples (both crude oil and sediment extracts) have been analyzed using S-selective chemolysis methods and analytical pyrolysis. The identifications of the methylthioethers released from the macromolecule-containing fractions after MeLi/MeI treatment are based on comparison of mass spectral data and chromatographic data with those for synthesized methylthioethers. Evidence is presented that di- or polysulphide linkages are present in geomacromolecules in both sediments and oils and that the location of di- or polysulphide linkages in macromolecularly S-bound moieties is the same as that of monosulphide linkages. Macromolecularly S-bound phytanyl moieties are chiefly bound with S linkages located at the tertiary positions of their carbon skeletons which indicates that the S incorporation mechanism(s) involve(s) intermediate carbocations. The macromolecularly S-bound steroids are bound with S linkages located mainly at C-2, C-3, C-4, or C-5 of their carbon skeletons, which indicates that the S incorporation took place into sterenes or steradienes -- the dehydration products of stanols and stenols, respectively. However, it remains possible that the macromolecularly S-bound steroids with an axial S linkage at C-3 are, in part, resulting from a S[sub N]2 reaction of inorganic S species with steryl esters or stanols. 48 refs., 8 figs.

• OSTI ID: 6160394
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States), Vol. 57:11; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PETROLEUM
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SEDIMENTS
ORGANIC MATTER
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
POLYMERS
STEROIDS
SULFUR CYCLE
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATTER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
023000* - Petroleum- Properties & Composition
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)