Biomarkers or not biomarkers? A new hypothesis for the origin of pristane involving derivation from methyltrimethyltridecylchromans (MTTCs) formed during diagenesis from chlorophyll and alkyl phenols

  1. Lookup NU author(s)
  2. Dr Minquaing Li
  3. Professor Stephen Larter
  4. Bernard Bowler
  5. Dr Martin Jones
Author(s)Li M, Larter SR, Bowler B, Taylor PN, Jones DM, Bjoroy M
Publication type Article
JournalOrganic Geochemistry
Year1995
Volume23
Issue2
Pages159-167
ISSN (print)0146-6380
ISSN (electronic)1873-5290
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
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.
PublisherPergamon
URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0146-6380(94)00112-E
DOI10.1016/0146-6380(94)00112-E
Actions    Link to this publication