Abstract
AbstractThe cover picture shows the synthesis of a series of androstane derivatives. They are intended to serve as authentic standards for the structure elucidation of six unknown saturated C19 and C20 hydrocarbons detected in ca. 600 million year‐old sedimentary rocks and related crude oils from the South Oman Salt Basin. Phytosterols with 26 to 30 carbon atoms are commonly converted into their saturated hydrocarbon analogs during geochemical transformation associated with petroleum formation as a consequence of deep burial and geothermal heating of the biogenic organic matter in sedimentary rocks. To a certain extent, aromatization, skeletal rearrangement, and modifications of the carbon backbone occur as well. The background image shows a present‐day salt lake in the Rub' al Khali desert of South Oman (photograph by G�ünther Neuenhofer, Bocholt). Details are discussed in the article by J. Christoffers et al. on p. 4543 ff.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
