Infrared emission spectroscopy has been used to monitor the chemical modifications taking place during the oxidation of bitumen-free Kerosene Creek shale, the bitumen-carbonate-free shale, and the bitumen-carbonate-silicate-free shale (kerogen). The samples were heated, in air, at temperatures in the range 50-700 degrees C at intervals of 50 degrees C. Oxidation of the samples at increasing temperatures showed a steady decrease in the signals due to aliphatic hydrocarbons (3000 cm(-1) to 2700, 1460, and 1375 cm(-1)) as well as in the carbonyl/carboxyl signals (similar to 1710 cm(-1)) and the carbonyl signal at 1740 cm(-1), along with an increase in the anhydride signals at 1775 cm(-1) and at similar to 1850 cm(-1) Constant temperature (300 degrees C) oxidation produced a steady increase in the anhydride peaks at similar to 1775 cm(-1) and at similar to 1850 cm(-1) while the 1710 and 1740 cm-1 peaks slowly decreased. Of the mineral bands, those characteristic of carbonates totally disappeared at 700 degrees C while the other bands remained. The rate of decomposition of organic functionalities is generally fastest for the bitumen-carbonate-free sample. Analysis of the kinetic data clearly showed that the presence of carbonates and silicates lowered the activation energy for the oxidation of aliphatic C-H groups.