Phytane

Phytane
Skeletal formula of phytane
Names
IUPAC name
2,6,10,14-Tetramethylhexadecane[1]
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
1744639
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.010.303 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 211-332-2
MeSH phytane
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C20H42/c1-7-18(4)12-9-14-20(6)16-10-15-19(5)13-8-11-17(2)3/h17-20H,7-16H2,1-6H3 ☒N
    Key: GGYKPYDKXLHNTI-UHFFFAOYSA-N ☒N
  • CCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C
Properties
C20H42
Molar mass 282.556 g·mol−1
Appearance Colourless liquid
Odor Odourless
Density 791 mg mL−1 (at 20 °C)
Boiling point 301.41 °C (574.54 °F; 574.56 K) at 100 mPa
Related compounds
Related alkanes
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Phytane is the isoprenoid alkane formed when phytol, a chemical substituent of chlorophyll, loses its hydroxyl group.[2] When phytol loses one carbon atom, it yields pristane.[2] Other sources of phytane and pristane have also been proposed than phytol.[3][4]

Pristane and phytane are common constituents in petroleum and have been used as proxies for depositional redox conditions, as well as for correlating oil and its source rock (i.e. elucidating where oil formed). In environmental studies, pristane and phytane are target compounds for investigating oil spills.

  1. ^ "phytane - Compound Summary". PubChem Compound. USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information. 27 March 2005. Identification and Related Records. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  2. ^ a b Moldowan, J. M.; Walters, C. C.; Peters, K. E. (December 2004). "Organic chemistry". The Biomarker Guide. pp. 18–44. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511524868.004. ISBN 9780511524868. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).