Abstract
THE presence of saturated “isoprenoid” hydrocarbons pristane and phytane is often cited as evidence for the biogenic origin of organic compounds present in ancient sediments1–5. Although there is much evidence in support of this view, the possibility of an abiogenic synthesis should not be overlooked6.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abelson, P. H., Fortschritte, 17, 379 (1959).
Bendoriatus, J. G., Brown, B. L., and Hepner, L. S., Proc. Sixth World Petroleum Congress, Frankfurt, Section V, Paper 15 (1963).
Blumer, M., Mullin, M. M., and Thomas, D. W., Science, 140, 974 (1963).
Cummins, J. J., and Robinson, W. E., J. Chem. Eng. Data, 9, 304 (1964).
Barghoorn, E. S., and Schopf, J. W., Science, 152, 758 (1966); ibid., 156, 508 (1967).
Studier, M. H., Hayatsu, R., and Anders, E., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 32, 151 (1968).
McCarthy, E. D., and Calvin, M., Nature, 216, 642 (1967).
Mahon, B. H., and Mandal, R., J. Chem. Phys., 37, 207 (1962).
Winjen, M. H. J., J. Chem. Phys., 24, 85 (1956).
Ponnamperuma, C., Woeller, F., and Flores, J., Adv. Chem. (in the press).
Hochstim, A. R., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 150, 200 (1965).
Natta, G., Porri, L., Corradini, P., and Morero, D., Chim. Ind. (Milan), 40, 362 (1958).
Spinks, J. W. T., and Wood, R. J., Introduction to Radiation Chemistry, 386 (Wiley and Sons, 1964).
Liu, R. S. H., and Hammond, G. S., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 85, 477 (1963).
McCarthy, E. D., thesis, Univ. California (1967).
Walker, G. F., Nature, 166, 695 (1950).
Barshad, I., Amer. Mineral, 35, 225 (1950).
Eglinton, G., et al., Advances in Organic Geochemistry (Pergamon, Oxford, 1964).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MUNDAY, C., PERING, K. & PONNAMPERUMA, C. Synthesis of Acyclic Isoprenoids by the γ-Irradiation of Isoprene. Nature 223, 867–868 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/223867a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/223867a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
