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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Minquaing Li, Professor Stephen Larter, Bernard Bowler, Dr Martin Jones
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Pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane), frequently the most abundant biomarker hydrocarbon in crude oils and rock extracts, was thought originally to be derived directly from phytol or, later, from thermal degradation of tocopherols. We present new evidence supporting the hypothesis that pristane, under certain conditions, may result from the catagenic decomposition of methyltrimethyltridecylchromans (MTTCs) derived during diagenesis from condensation reactions between chlorophyll and alkylphenols. We show that phytol can condense, under mild conditions, with phenolic systems (in free or polymeric form) to produce free or bound structures that generate pristenes on flash pyrolysis. We suggest straightforward tests of this hypothesis.
Author(s): Li M, Larter SR, Bowler B, Taylor PN, Jones DM, Bjoroy M
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Organic Geochemistry
Year: 1995
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Pages: 159-167
Print publication date: 01/02/1995
ISSN (print): 0146-6380
ISSN (electronic): 1873-5290
Publisher: Pergamon
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0146-6380(94)00112-E
DOI: 10.1016/0146-6380(94)00112-E
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