Sulfur: Role in Genesis of Petroleum

Abstract

Sulfur reacts readily with cholesterol at 150 degrees C, and the product of the reaction contains aromatic hydrocarbons, some with a benzene, some a naphthalene, and some a phenanthrene ring system as part of the molecule. The reaction of farnesol with sulfur takes place at 135 degrees C. Cadalene (1,6-dimethyl-4-isopropylnaphthalene) is one of the products of the reaction. These reactions at relatively low temperatures support the proposition that a thermal reaction of sulfur with terpenoids and steroids plays a part in the genesis of petroleum.