Polycyclic aromatic sulfur compounds(PASCs) in Permian Kupferschiefer might form in different diagenetic stages by different mechanisms.A part of them might form in earlier diagenetic stage,and another part might form in later diagenetic stage.The contents of PASCs are influenced not only by depositional environment and the maturity of the organic matter,but also by base metal content.R_o of highly mature samples from the Oberkatz lithologic section reaches 1.3 %,the PASC contents are lower than 50(μg/g C_org.Higher PASC contents (450～850(μg/g C_org) are observed in the samples of SC1,SC2,PK1 and the samples from Konrad section.Their R_o values are between 0.7 and 0.9%,and their base metal contents are lower than 5%.In a highly mineralized sample with base metal content of 23.1%,the PASC content is only 52(μg/g C_org.This phenomenon may be explained by the preferential reaction of sulfur with base metals during the depositional process.Only after metals are used up,sulfur would react with organic matter and form PASCs.The depositional environment,kerogen type and the migration of PASCs from other strata are apparently not the predominant factors for the formation of PASCs in the Kupferschiefer.