Oxidative Cleavage of Asphaltenes Under Mild Conditions

Products from oxidation of asphaltenes by peracetic acid, sodium periodate, and potassium iodate were analyzed using IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Oxidative destruction of asphaltenes increased the aromaticity in their molecular structures and the branching of aliphatic substituents on the polycondensed core. Occluded low-molecular-mass alkanes and cycloalkanes were released during the oxidation. The molecular mass of the asphaltenes changed as a function of the oxidant strength. Asphaltenes fragmented by the acetylene mechanism if the soft oxidant KIO 3 was used.