Composition of the products of the ozonization of Carpathian menilitic shales

The ozonization of Carpathian menilitic shale permits the practically complete destruction of its kerogen and leads mainly to the formation of water-soluble products. The features of their composition, which has been studied with the aid of chromato-mass spectrometry, indicate a considerable aromaticity of the kerogen. The chromatographable water-insoluble acids contain in the highest concentration palmitic stearic, and dodecane-1, 12-dicarboxylic acids, which have been reported for a number of kerogens. The low amount of higher acids in the ozonization products shows an inconsiderable role of long polymethylene chains in the kerogen of the Carpathian shale.