Two different asphalts were coated on a Fluoropak support and were oxidized at 130 or - 2/sup 0/C for 24 hours using a number of metal chelates as additives. After oxidation the recovered asphalts were analyzed by infrared spectrometry to determine enhancements of keto, acid, and anhydride functions. Vanadyl etioporphyrin 1 was found to be an effective promoter in the oxidation of both asphalts. Vanadyl porphyrins having bulky ring substituents are not as effective as vanadyl etioporphyrin 1 in promoting asphalt oxidations.