THE EFFECT OF METALLOPORPHYRINS ON ASPHALT OXIDATION. I. EFFECT OF SYNTHETIC METAL CHELATES

ABSTRACT Two different asphalts were coated on a Fluoropak support and were oxidized at 130 ± 2°C for 24 hours using a number of metal chelales as additives. After oxidation the recovered asphalts were analyzed by infrared spectrometry to determine enhancements of keto, acid, and anhydride functions. Vanadyl etioporphyrin I was found to be an effective promoter in the oxidation of both asphalts. Vanadyl porphyrins having bulky ring substituents are not as effective as vanadyl etioporphyrin I in promoting asphalt oxidations.