Petroleum Acids and Bases

Introduction to the Role of Organic Acids in Geological Processes

“…Alicyclic carboxylic acids contain one or more saturated or partially unsaturated rings. These acids most commonly occur in petroleum rather than formation waters, and they are sometimes referred to as naphthenic acids (Lochte and Littmann 1955). Alicyclic carboxylic acids containing only one aliphatic ring typically subscribe to the IUPAC nomenclature (e.g., cyclohexane carboxylic acid), and those containing two or more aliphatic rings subscribe to the trivial nomenclature (e.g., oleanolic acid).…”

“…Lochte and Littmann (1955) wrote The Petroleum Acids and Bases, which presents analytical methods and the identities of organic acids and bases found in petroleum. Hare et al (1980) edited the book entitled Biogeochemistry of Amino Acids.…”

Crude Petroleum

“…Aliphatic ketones occur in petroleum [135] and, whilst neither cyclopentanone nor cyclohexanone has yet been identified, recently an acetylisopropylmethylcyclopentane was isolated from a Wilmington crude oil [136]. Fluorenones, C 13 to CIS' have been extracted from the higher boiling ranges of the same crude oil by sodium in liquid ammonia [137].…”

Mass Spectrometry in Organic Geochemistry

“…Only recently, however, have physical methods and mass spectrometry in particular played important roles in the elucidation of their structures. LOCHTE and LI1TMAN [174], BALL et ai. [175] and DINNEEN et ai.…”

“…A considerable number of bases have been detected in petroleum by this approach. The reviews of LOCHTE [199], LoCHTE and LITTMANN [174], DEAL et al [200], BALL et al [175] and COSTANTITINIDES and ARICH [201] summarize the data and list individual compounds isolated. LoCHTE and LITTMANN [174] in 1955, for instance, list 25 pyridines and 32 quinolines isolated and identified from petroleum, shale oil and coal tar.…”