chemistry of petroleum

Chemistry

Octane, a hydrocarbon found in petroleum, lines are single bonds, black spheres are carbon, white spheres are hydrogen
The chemical structure of petroleum is composed of hydrocarbon chains of different lengths. These different hydrocarbon chemicals are separated by distillation at an oil refinery to produce gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, and other hydrocarbons. The general formula for these hydrocarbons is CnH2n+2. For example 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane, widely used in gasoline, has a chemical formula of C8H18 which reacts with oxygen exothermically:[4]
C8H18(aq) + 12.5O2(g) → 8CO2(g) + 9H2O(g) + heat
Incomplete combustion of petroleum or gasoline results in emission of poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide and/or nitric oxide. For example:
C8H18(aq) + 12.5O2(g) + N2(g) → 6CO2(g) + 2CO(g) + 2NO(g) + 9H2O(g) + heat
Formation of petroleum occurs in a variety of mostly endothermic reactions in high temperature and/or pressure. For example, a kerogen may break down into hydrocarbons of different lengths:[5]
CH1.45(s) + heat → .663CH1.6(aq) + .076CH2(aq) + .04CH2.6(g) + .006CH4(g) + .012CH2.6(s) + .018CH4.0(s) + .185CH.25(s)
obligationtoyahoo.com