*4.2.2 Geochemical characterization of the compounds released during the LmPy-GC/ MSMS analysis of bitumen sample*

Results of chromatographic characterization (**Figure 13**) of compounds released during LmPy-GC/MSMS analysis show that the most abundant compound is the

#### **Figure 13.**

*TIC and profile of n-alkanes (*●*) and n-alkenes (*○*) (m/z 85), terpanes (m/z 191), steranes (m/z 217), secohopanes (m/z 123), and aromatic secohopanes (m/z 363 and 365) released during LmPy-GC/MSMS analyses at 25A for 0.8 s of bitumen sample.*

monoaromatic 8,14 Secohopanoid D-ring (m/z 365), besides the secondary presence of the aromatic D, E-ring 8,14-secohopanoids (m/z 363) and 8,14, Secohopane C29 hydrocarbon (m/z 123). These aromatic compounds were absent in the original sample characterization. The laser experiments also produced *n*-alkanes and *n*-alkenes (m/z 85) and some terpanes (m/z 191). However, steranes (m/z 217) are absent.

*Using LmPy-GC/MSMS to Molecular Characterization of Organic Components… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.114360*

*4.2.3 Geochemical characterization of residual bitumen sample after LmPy-GC/ MSMS analysis*

In **Figure 14** can be observed, for the sample of residual bitumen after LmPy-GC/ MSMS analysis, the predominance of the D-ring monoaromatic 8,14 Secohopanoid (m/z 365) and secondarily the presence of D, E-ring aromatic 8,14 secohopanoids

#### **Figure 14.**

*TIC and profile of n-alkanes (*●*) (m/z 85), terpanes (m/z 191), steranes (m/z 217), secohopanes (m/z 123), and aromatic secohopanes (m/z 363 and 365) from residual bitumen sample after LmPy-GC/MSMS analyses at 25A for 0.8 s.*

(m/z 363), and other secohopane hydrocarbons (m/z 123). The presence of *n*-alkanes (m/z 85) and the absence of terpanes (mz 191) and steranes (m/z 217).
