Determination of the functional groups and the melting point of iraqi asphaltenes

A qualitative analysis study of n-C5 asphaltene of Iraqi crude oil from (Al-Dura, Kirkuk and Basra) oil fields was done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The melting points of the three oil derived asphaltenes were determined using Hot stage polarizing microscope at 180?°C for Al-Dura, 125?°C for Kirkuk and 140?°C for Basra asphaltenes. The FTIR spectrum shows an aromatic behavior of the asphaltene samples at a wavelength of 3049?cm^?1 and aliphatic chains were found at wavelengths 2924?cm^?1.