Abstract
Recent investigations of Cretaceous black shales have led to the identification of several hitherto unknown steroidal compounds1,2, thus providing information on some diagenetic pathways of steroids. We report here the identification of ring A-degraded steroids in a Cretaceous black shale from the Livello Bonarelli, a carbonate-poor interval deposited at the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary. The ketone fraction of the extract contains a series of compounds which we have identified as 10α(Me)-de-A-cholestan-5-one and homologues. The presence of mono- and diaromatic de-A-steroid hydrocarbons in the aromatic fraction of the extract is suggested. The occurrence of these degraded steroids can be explained by a degradation pathway similar to that suggested for 3-oxygenated triterpenoids such as β-amyrin and lupeol3–7.
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
Hussler, G., Chappe, B., Wehrung, P. & Albrecht, P. Nature 294, 556–558 (1981).
Van Graas, G., de Lange, F., de Leeuw, J. W. & Schenck, P. A. Nature 296, 59–61 (1982).
Spyckerelle, C., Greiner, A. G., Albrecht, P. & Ourisson, G. J. chem. Res. (S) 330–331, (M) 3746–3777 (1977).
Spyckerelle, C., Greiner, A. G., Albrecht, P. & Ourisson, G. J. chem. Res (S) 332–333, (M) 3801–3828 (1977).
Laflamme, R. E. & Hites, R. A. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 43, 1687–1691 (1979).
Corbet, B., Albrecht, P. & Ourisson, G. J. Am. chem. Soc. 102, 1171–1173 (1980).
Schmitter, J. M., Arpino, P. J. & Guiochon, G. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 45, 1951–1955 (1981).
Wonders, A. A. H. Utrecht micropaleont. Bull. 24, 1–157 (1980).
Edward, J. T., Holder, D., Lunne, W. H. & Puskas, I. Can. J. Chem. 39, 599–600 (1961).
Edward, J. T. & Lawson, N. E. J. org. Chem. 35, 1426–1430 (1970).
Hartshorn, M. P. & Jones, E. R. H. J. chem. Soc. 1312–1313 (1962).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Graas, G., de Lange, F., de Leeuw, J. et al. De-A-steroid ketones and de-A-aromatic steroid hydrocarbons in shale indicate a novel diagenetic pathway. Nature 299, 437–439 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/299437a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/299437a0
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.
