Results on the application of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SFE)
at different temperatures are presented, and comparison with classical Sox
hlet chloroform extracts is made. Pure carbon dioxide extracted preferably
n-alkanes, whereas modifying of the fluid with methanol intensified the ext
raction of more polar compounds and increased as a result total yield of ex
tract. Increasing of SFE temperature had the same influence on the yield of
extract, however, already at 200 degrees C partial heterolytic cracking of
the kerogen of kukersite started. The similarity of composition and relati
ve distribution of n-alkanes, n-alkanones-2, n-alkylbenzenes and n-alkylcyc
lohexanes in both SFE and Soxhlet extracts of kukersite was observed.