Geosynthesis of Organic Compounds IV. Methylation of 1,2,7-Trimethylnaphthalene

Abstract

In this paper we report on the anomalously high relative abundance of 1,2,4,7-tetramethylnaphthalene in sedimentary hydrocarbons that also contain a high relative abundance of 1,2,7-trimethylnaphthalene. Because 1,2,4,7-tetramethylnaphthalene is formed when 1,2,7-trimethylnaphthalene was heated with hexamethylbenzene and a clay catalyst at 120°C in the laboratory, we suggest that similar transalkylation reactions occur under natural heating conditions.

Key Words:

• methylation
• geosynthesis
• 1,2,4,7-tetramethylnahthalene
• 1,2,7-trimethylnaphthalene
• alkylnaphthalene formation
• petroleum