Study on the molecular structure of asphaltene fraction from the Shenhua coal direct liquefaction residue

The structure characters of asphaltene fraction in the Shenhua coal direct liquefaction residue were studied. Its average molecular weight is 1387, and average molecular formula is C101H90.7O3.6N2. So far as character of intra-molecule is concerned, asphaltene fraction is made up of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and a series of n-alkane chains that are linked with aromatic structure. Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been partially hydrogenated and average n-alkane chain has 13 carbon atoms. In addition, asphaltene has a few oxygen and nitrogen atoms that are in aromatic rings and form heterocyclic structure, some hydroxy groups and ether groups.