Features of the composition of vanadyl porphyrins in the crude extract of asphaltenes of heavy oil with high vanadium content

Abstract

Features of changes in the content of nickel and vanadium in heavy oils and their asphaltenes are shown for various fields of Volga-Ural region (Russia). The change in the content of vanadyl complexes in the studied asphaltenes upon increase of vanadium content was demonstrated. Several polar solvents (acetone, N,N-dimethylformamide, isopropanol, acetonitrile) are compared as extractants to obtain crude extracts of vanadyl porphyrins from asphaltenes with vanadium content of 0.44 wt%. The opportunity of more efficient extraction of vanadyl porphyrins from asphaltenes is shown by deposition extraction method, particularly when using N,N-dimethylformamide. Absorption spectra and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra of the extracts obtained were analyzed. For extracts with maximum content of vanadyl porphyrins, the presence of mainly etio- and deoxophylloerythroetioporphyrins was revealed. It was shown that proportion of etio-type vanadyl porphyrins does not exceed 75% of the amount of porphyrins of DPEP-type. A maximum of molecular weight distribution in both types falls on a homologue of vanadyl porphyrin C31 containing nine carbon atoms in the alkyl substituents.