Composition of petroleum asphaltenes derived from ruthenium-catalyzed oxidation

Ruthenium ion-catalyzed oxidation of methanonaphthene oil (Krapivinskoye oilfield) revealed that its high molecular asphaltenes contain aromatic–aliphatic bridges and non- covalently bound (occluded) compounds. Covalently bound fragments are represented by C₅–C₁₈ n-alkanes, aromatic biphenyl-type structures, and naphthalenes located in the peripheral part of asphaltene molecules. Typical biological markers, i.e. terpanes, steranes, and n-alkanes have been identified among the occluded compounds.