THE ORIGIN OF ALKYLBENZENES AND THIOPHENES IN PYROLYSATES OF GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLES

Alkylbenzenes and thiophenes are common in pyrolysates of sulphur-rich oils, kerogens, coals and humic substances. The formation of alkylben zenes and alkylthiophenes as artifacts during flash pyrolysis of trigl ycerides, or unsaturated fatty acids, in the presence of elemental sul phur is proved, which suggests that these alkylated cyclic and heteroc yclic compounds may have at least two origins: as evaporation/pyrolysi s products from the macromolecular matrix, and/or as artifacts. Theref ore, inferences made from the presence of such homologous series of co mpounds in pyrolysates should be drawn with caution.