Dimethylbenzothiophenes and methyldibenzothiophenes in crude oils from different sources

A method is presented for the identification and quantification of C-2-substituted benzothiophenes in crude oil. The method will enable analysis of the pattern of these compounds, for example as a basis for differentiating crude oils from one another (fingerprinting) and for investigation of their suitability as indicators of oil maturity. Here results are reported for five crudes from Iraq, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, the former Soviet Union, and the North Sea. The aromatic fraction of the crudes was oxidized and the dioxides of the heterocycles separated according to the number of carbon atoms in the side chains. The final separation was by capillary GC with atomic emission or flame ionization detection. A fluorinated analog was synthesized and used as internal standard. The concentrations of 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,7-, and 3,7-dimethylbenzothiophene ranged between 11 and 272 ppm. Three other dimethylated benzothiophenes present in lower amounts were also identified.