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Structure and significance of some twenty-one and twenty-two carbon petroleum steranes

Journal Article · · Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States)
Two steranes, commonly found in petroleum and petroleum source rocks, have been identified. One is the 5..cap alpha.., 14..beta.., 17..beta..H stereoisomer of pregnane called diginane and the other is 20-methyldiginane. These compounds are detected in the saturated hydrocarbon fraction of many crude oils by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Both virtually coelute from a capillary gas chromatography column with a 5..cap alpha.., 14..cap alpha.., 17..cap alpha..H stereoisomer. The amount of the two diginanes in a petroleum sample, relative to the abundance of steranes having from twenty-seven to twenty-nine carbon atoms, seems to be an apparent indicator of thermal maturity.
Research Organization:
Mobil Research and Development Corp., Dallas, TX
OSTI ID:
6790714
Journal Information:
Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States), Journal Name: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States) Vol. 50:12; ISSN GCACA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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