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 04:00:00 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]

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

Related Subjects

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