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Abstract: A 13-step alkaline permanganate degradation of Bulgarian oil shale kerogen concentrate at ambient temperature was carried out. A high yield of oxidation products (90.1%) and a low yield of gaseous products (2.79%) were obtained. IR and 1H NMR spectroscopic studies have shown that two significantly different types of high molecular products are present in kerogen. Further oxidation of these structures leads to the formation of low molecular aliphatic and aromatic acids, proven by gas chromotography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The data obtained at these mild conditions allow us to acquire detailed information about the aromatic structures and polymethylene chain lengths in kerogen. The 5-step oxidation of the kerogen at 90°C provides information about stable aromatic structures. Soluble and insoluble polyfunctional acids in acid medium have close molecular masses and spectral characteristics. The amount of benzene and naphthalene carboxylic acids is 11.3% of the organic matter of the oil shale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]