Studies of the transformation of asphaltites into anion exchange resins with properties comparable to those of industrial resins show that petroleum residua are a source of these important materials. Detailed studies of the molecular morphology show that the mechanism of structure formation is similar to the polycondensation processes for manufacture of synthetic polymers. There is a need to focus attention on the potential monomers in petroleum residua. The residua are convenient raw materials with great potential for organic, macromolecular, and petrochemical synthesis.