Pressure as driving force in the formation of Fossil Resins: Pressure Induced Changes in trans-Communic Acid studied by Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to provide spectroscopic evidence of possible chemical pathways in the formation of fossil resins under high pressure conditions. In this work, we have studied trans-communic acid (majority precursor compound in resinites) under high pressure conditions by using a sapphire anvil cell. Raman spectra were measured at atmospheric pressure up to 8 GPa (at room temperature). Slight changes were observed in the spectra. Furthermore, the recovered sample after pressure release was analyzed by FTIR. Our results are not conclusive about a possible chemical pathway of polymerization induced by pressure.