Small-scale and rapid quantitative analysis of phenols and carbazoles in sedimentary matter

A rapid small-scale method for the quantitative analysis of alkylphenols, alkylcarbazoles and benzocarbazoles from sedimentary matter is described using silica gel liquid chromatography and GC–MS techniques. Alkylphenol, alkylcarbazole and benzocarbazole components of crude oils can be easily, rapidly and economically separated from saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons using silica gel, as a stationary phase, and disposable glassware such as Pasteur pipettes (sample sizes up to 100 mg). Analysis of these components was performed using GC–MS without any further derivatisation. This method affords rapid sample processing with accurate quantification of carbazoles, benzocarbazoles and alkylphenols suitable for routine use in petroleum geochemistry.